DE-FLASKING - Removing Orchids from flasks

PREPARATION

There are several plants in each flask, large flasks may have 20 to 50 plants, small ones up to 5 or 10 plants. Prepare sufficient quantities of the following items BEFORE opening the bottle:

1. Small pots, either clay or plastic. The advantage of plastic pots is that they retain water whereas the clay pots dry out and are better suited to humid environments.
2. Fertilizer, general growing foliar fertilizer, diluted to half strength.
3. Fungicide made into solution with strength according to manufacturer's instructions.
4. Small pieces of broken clay pots and/or charcoal for drainage. Adding some charcoal is preferred as this also helps to 'sweeten' the medium.
5. Spagnum Moss with or without tree fern as media.
6. Water.

If using clay pots, soak in water for approximately 10 minutes. Break the moss and fern into small pieces and soak in the fertilizer solution for 10 minutes.

REMOVING ORCHIDS FROM FLASK

It is usually necessary to break the bottle to remove the orchids. Try to break the bottle near the top rather than the entire bottle to avoid broken glass being mixed in with the seedlings. One way of doing this is to place the bottle in a bucket of water and break under water. The glass sinks, separating it from the orchids, with less chance of glass remnants causing a cut.

Once you orchid seedlings are out of the flask you must:

1. Clean the seedlings under gently running cold water. Be sure to remove all agar (jelly) from around the roots as any residue will invite fungal infection. Try not to handle the roots with fingers.
2. Soak the seedlings in fungicide solution for approximately 10 minutes and then leave to dry for a further 10 minutes.
3. While waiting for the seedlings to dry, prepare the pots by placing pieces of clay chip and/or charcoal on the bottom with a layer of small tree fern pieces on top. Shred the tree fen and mix with sphagnum moss or use moss alone as the top layer.
4. Place the seedlings carefully on the moss and lightly cover the roots with a fine layer of moss, leaving the main "stem" of the plant free of any media.
5. Place the pot in a shaded area and mist spray with a solution of fertilizer and fungicide.
6. Ensure the seedlings do not dry out over the first few weeks by misting them occasionally with water. They must not get too wet.
7. The entire pot can be placed in a clear large plastic bag to maintain humidity for the first two weeks. There must be enough air inside so it does not remain too misted. After 2 weeks punch two holes in the bag and over a period of a month gradually increase the holes in the bag to allow more air from the outside to enter. This method will allow the seedlings to acclimatize gradually. It is however very important not to allow the plants to get too wet as this may lead to fungal infection.
8. Spray fertilize once every 2 weeks with a dilute fertilizer solution. After three months this should be able to be increased to weekly spraying.

We hope you are successful in you orchid growing effort and enjoy their beautiful flowers for years to come.