Do I need to put the flasks in ziploc?

[Solarist-Guy]

Hi everyone. I purchased my first orchids about three years ago and they have been happy with me all this time. I decided to go to the next step and pollinate a phal hybrid, and over weeks of studying on how to do the media and how to sterilize the seeds, today I've finally sowed my first orchid seeds. I understand all the process it takes to grow the seedlings, but I have a couple of questions regarding the care of the flasks. Do I have to put the flasks in plastic sealed bags, like ziplocs? Is it better to put them outside in a shaded area where ventilation is available?

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

Most people don't put the flasks into anything else.

Seedlings in flasks will cook if they get any direct sunshine. Same with anything you put into a transparent plastic bag.

Most people grow them indoors in very bright shade, or under artificial lighting.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

You don't need to put the flasks in Ziplock bags.

[Fairorchids]

Flasks should be in near darkness till seeds germinate.
After you replate, they need relatively LOW light.

When you deflask, seedlings need very low light. For Phals which normally grow in 60% shade, seedlings should start in 70-80% shade.

[Ray]

Maybe I misunderstood the original post, but the part about ventilation makes me think you don't understand that the seed must be sown, germinated, and grown for a while in a completely sealed, sterile environment.

If you sow the seed in a non-sterile environment, molds will germinate in the nutrient-rich substrate and overwhelm the orchid seed.

If, on the other hand, you're referring to buying a flask of seedlings, it is common to "harden them up" after removing them from the flask (100% RH) and potting them, by keeping the pots in closed plastic bags for a while, then open them up gradually for longer and longer periods of time, so they get adjusted to the lower humidity.

[orchidsarefun]

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