One Flask or multiple?

[bazinga]

Ok, I am going to give my first shot at flasking but one question I can't seem to solve is this:

I bought some orchid seed and it said it has approx 100 seeds per package. Now when I sterilize the seeds and am going to put the seeds in the flasks ( baby food jar size ) do I use 1, 2, 3 etc flasks for aprox 100 seeds?

[NatalieS]

What medium are you using? If you're using it at half strength just to germinate the seed then you'll need to replate them relatively soon after germination and it won't be worth using more than one flask for 100 seeds. Not all your seed will germinate since not all of it will be viable - you'll get a mix of good embryos, seed with no embryo, and seed with underdeveloped embryos that will likely not germinate.

If you're trying with full strength medium, then try using two flasks. You'll be able to leave them longer in the mother flask.

[EstebanJ]

Hey Bazinga!

It is true that you can use only one flask but, as it is your first attempt I'd try to use as many flasks as I can. Why? Because if you make a mistake in the sterilization process in one flask you'll have to throw everything away. If you have multiple flasks and you have some contamination you won't lose the whole batch. You can even try different lights and temperatures for the different flasks.
This is just my opinion though.
Good luck!
Esteban
By the way, did you get your seeds from a store in BC or somewhere else?

[Gage]

Esteban's advice is spot on. I am wondering how they can say that it is 100 seeds. A clump of 100 seeds would be altogether smaller than a mustard seed. What do they/it look like?

[NatalieS]

It depends on the type of orchid - the seed varies greatly in size.

I frequently purchase seed from an EU vendor who sells small packets being advertised as approx. 100 seeds. But I would describe it as being about a small pinch of seed. Depending on what sterilisation method you use, it's too small amount to experiment with more than 2-3 flasks. It would just be really awkward to work with IMHO.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

"100 seeds" is a really small amount to work with. I'd just flask in 1 flask.

Like some are saying, it will not be exactly "100 seeds". In certain cases, it will be far less than that. In others, it is just a pinch.

What kind of seed are you dealing with, if you don't mind me asking?

[bazinga]

Well thanks for all the help so far, these are the seeds I bought.



Seeds:
Paphiopedilum Exul
Brassavola Cucullata
Pomatocalpa Spicata
Dendrobium Signatum
Dendrobium Polytrichum

Where did I get them, I am not sure I can post that in the forums, but a picture does say a million words.
I bought from that site cause in a different forum I heard very good things about them. (Selection, Prices, Shipping Time)

I know orchid seeds are tiny and haven't yet opened one of the paper packets to see the seeds and the amount of seeds. The site said Approx 100 seeds, so that is why I am using that number in this post. For all I know it could be a pinch, it could even be empty. Is it ok for me to open one to take a picture of the seeds? (I don't have my glove box ready yet.)

I have had the seeds now for about a month (stored in the fridge) and am going to use them as a test project.
Why those seeds you might ask? Well that was when I didn't know anything about germinating seeds and I bought seeds because of how the flower looked.

About 2 weeks ago my girlfriend and I cross pollinated our Phalaenopsis cause I wanted to get her into the whole process of what I am going to be doing.

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...llination.html

Our plan is:
1: Today we are going to be doing the Media making and into 10 baby food jars.
2: Next weekend we are going to be making the glove box.
3: The weekend after that, if our media flasks make it without contamination then we will be sowing the seeds into their mother flasks. I guess with this step it depends on how many contamination free flask we get. If all 10 worked, then I am going to put approx half the pack of seeds per flask. If we only get 5 contamination free flask then the whole pack.

Good Plan??

[NatalieS]

That is the same supplier I get my seed from.

Yes, it will be more like a pinch. Two flasks of each is fine.

You will likely need different media for the Paph (don't know about the Pomatocalpa spicata).

Try to sow the seed as soon as possible. The fresher the better! So if you're making up the media today then aim to sow it next weekend when you're happy there isn't any contamination.

Have fun!

[EstebanJ]

Hey NatalieS,

Would you recommend this supplier?
Have you had good results with their seeds?


Any info will be appreciated

Esteban

Originally Posted by NatalieS

That is the same supplier I get my seed from.

Yes, it will be more like a pinch. Two flasks of each is fine.

You will likely need different media for the Paph (don't know about the Pomatocalpa spicata).

Try to sow the seed as soon as possible. The fresher the better! So if you're making up the media today then aim to sow it next weekend when you're happy there isn't any contamination.

Have fun!