Deflasking-when? - Orchid Board

Connie Star · #1 01-19-2010, 02:17 PM

I returned from a vacation in Costa Rica a few days ago and came thru Miami with a small flask of "Baby Orchids"- Cattleya dowiana. They were sealed, "in vitro" and sterile and I had no problem getting thru customs and agricultural inspection.
Now I need to know when to de-flask them. The directions say when they are 5 cm high (2") and they are at about 4cm. The agar looks good, so I think I should wait awhile? They look very healthy. I could use some advice on this.
I plan to put them in a "compot" with NZ spagnum moss, then put a ventilated plastic bag over them and keep them out of direct sunlight.
This is a fun experiment for me before I try ordering hybrid flasks in the future.

orchidman77 · #2 01-19-2010, 11:29 PM

I just reserved a flask of C. dowiana from Troy-Meyers....don't know when exactly to deflask them, though. I would when they are big enough to handle and are growing roots. It sounds like they would be fine to go ahead and take out, though--could you post a picture or two?

AGH, I'm jealous! I don't know if I'm going to get a flask or not.

David

camille1585 · #3 01-20-2010, 04:57 AM

I don't have much experience flasking, but from what I've read, it's the bigger the better when it comes to deflasking. Did the flask yet shaken around much during travel? If the agar is good, and it's recommended to wait until they're 5cm, why not leave them in?

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #4 01-20-2010, 05:08 AM

Are you talking about the actual act of deflasking the seedlings so you can put them into compots?

Or...

Are you talking about replating?

What state of growth are the C. dowiana in? Are they still developing protocorms, or are they actual plants?

Usually people wait to deflask the seedlings into compots when they show signs of significant and strong root growth and leaf growth. 5 cm is only a guideline, it's not necessarily a rule.

If you wish to replate the small seedlings, it's up to you too. From what I understand, if the number of plants per flask is reduced (for example, instead of having 25 seedlings in one flask, there'd only be 8 to 10 individuals per flask), it may promote better growth in the seedlings.

Don't take my word for this, maybe others can either verify what I've said or say otherwise.

camille1585 · #5 01-20-2010, 05:13 AM

King if you read Connie's post correctly, she says that the seedlings are already 4cm tall in the flask.

Doesn't mention protocorms anywhere!

Bolero · #6 01-20-2010, 05:20 AM

I try to time it with the beginning of spring when the seedlings are a good size - say 5cm or 2 inches depending on the plant in question. I have only deflasked about 7 or 8 plants though. My last cattleya hybrid flask the plants were 5cm to 6cm high I think. If they are 4cm, unless they are really squashed against each other you could wait a month or two I think.

Post a photo if you can.

phragguy · #7 01-20-2010, 08:03 AM

I like to leave them till there is lots of roots and they almost fill the flask. Depending on the size of flasks. I use the tall baby food jars,so when the leaves are near the top I take them out. If the leaves start turning brown I watch than take them out if they seam to have used up the nutrients in the agar. The longer they are in the flask the stronger they will be when taken out. this is only my opinon.

Royal · #8 01-20-2010, 10:29 AM

Leave them in the flask as long as they are growing well. The larger they are when you take them out, the better they will do in a new environment.

cricketerry · #9 01-20-2010, 11:49 AM

I would agree that as long as the plants look healthy, then leave them in the flask for as long as possible. The pic I have attached shows some catt seedlings 7 months from when I sowed them and 4 months from re-plating.

You can see that they still have plenty of room to grow and look healthy. They can stay in the flask for quite some time. They are about 3cm tall by the way.

Connie Star · #10 01-20-2010, 11:34 PM

I appreciate the replies. The plants- there are probably 8-10 of them- look very healthy and each appears to have 5-6 small leaves and a similar number of rootlets. I was careful not to let them get bumped around and traveled with them in a separate part of my back pack. It sounds like I should wait a little longer and then compot them. I would not try to replace the media the way it is now.