Need urgent help.

[KC Wong]

I have my first flasking sept 1st 2010.....and to my horror I just saw white fungus started growing in one of the flask. What's the best action to take to save the flask.
Can I reflask, and if I can what's the best way. Just for inform... I did it in a shoe box. What have gone wrong after about 2 months.

Please I need help.

Thanks in advance.
KC

[cb977]

Hi

I have no flasking experience but I did find an extremely informative article online. Here's the link (I'm also going to put it into it's own thread and make it a sticky for this forum



Home Orchid Flasking

*Scroll towards the bottom and you'll see their suggestions for your situation

[roby]

You can try this
http://www.scielo.br/pdf/hb/v24n2/19.pdf

I use this technique for sowing, but can by used for recovery in vitro contaminated

[Duane McDowell]

I have tried to save flasks from fungus contamination hundreds of times. The best I have ever been able to do is to stay ahead of it by replating very frequently. It has almost always been an exercise in futility - my time would have been better spent making more seed pods.
Unless the seed is an extremely rare variety and you are unable to obtain more seed, it's usually best to either throw out the flask or plant the protocorms on sphagnum that has been watered with a very weak balance nutrient solution. The whole pot with the sphagnum and the protocorms can then be placed in a recloseable plastic bag and sealed shut. In a few months, you might have a few plants.
It is normal to have occasional contamination. Don't give up!

[KC Wong]

Thanks for all your support. I try reflasking ... keep my fingers cross let's see what happen. will keep you all updated...
Thanks again.

KC

[cb977]

[Royal]

Originally Posted by KC Wong

Can I reflask, and if I can what's the best way. Just for inform... I did it in a shoe box. What have gone wrong after about 2 months.

Hi KC,

My experience is similar to Duane's. Sometimes you can save it, but it usually doesn't work. I've saved a few by replating, and once I caught it very early and just scooped out the contamination with a sterile tea spoon.

If you allowed contamination in while working in the shoebox, it would probably appear more quickly. If the contamination appeared at 2 months, then you're technique was probably good. You might have had a poor seal on the flask. As Duane said, contamination happens. Don't let it get to you. Just make extras and toss out the bad ones.

[Ben Belton]

Originally Posted by Royal

As Duane said, contamination happens. Don't let it get to you.

Well said. I've had it happen months later, and I have a laminar flow hood. Always make extras if you can. I ge very little contamination, but I always make extras. Paranoia is a good thing when it comes to flasking

I'm not sure what the articles said. When I have replated a contaminated flask, I tried to isolate the contamination by putting pieces of paper towel soaked in 25% Clorox solution onto the contaminated area. Then I pluck the good stuff out and move it.

I have always been hesitant to scoop out the contamination for fear that I might spread spores as I was moving it. Also, remember that contaminants fall downwards. As you are working in the contaminated flask, make sure you keep the contaminated area at the bottom if you tilt your flask over.

Good luck!