How to de-flask seedling orchids: my third attempt after, shall we say, mixed results! 

Thank you very much for finding me....and my pink sweater!

Thanks for finding me!

Oh I know.....so far so good with this bunch...it does seem to be a tough type of plant with thick roots so I might have more luck than before! We'll see....

Thanks for watching!

Thanks Michael - yes I think Phals are looking to be the easiest! I might leave future de-flasking to experts!

I will......still so far so good....no tragic deaths!

I certainly will when there's something to report on!

Thanks for watching!

Thanks for watching! No I don't have a photo but google will show you just how fabulous it is! Wish me luck!

Well what a great coming home present! Good luck!

Thanks for watching! - They are mostly all still doing well!

Thank you - I'll keep everyone updated!

Well good luck!!! It can be a dark art!

Hi there - no, not yet. they are still growing! When one should need re-potting I might make a follow up. Thanks for watching!

Thanks for watching!

Hi there - yes I did. I can't remember from where though - probably ebay. I was searching for this type of orchid particularly and I could only find it in a flask.

Hi Julie - good luck! The consensus seems to be Phals are the easiest type to grow from flasks! This flask actually came from a private seller on Ebay - not linked to a nursery. I have noticed that these guys: orchidsrus.com.au/ are having a flask sale! I've bought great plants from them - I can't see that they don't ship to quarantine states so perhaps have a look there too? Happy flasking!

Thanks for watching! No - once they get a bit a bigger and even bloom I will - otherwise not much to say!

I'd say about half are still going strong! It's learning curve for me as an amateur but if you accept you'll loose some and its an experiment, then go for it!

I can't help you - perhaps someone else can though?

Hi Carole, Good questions! Firstly Melbourne is very lucky in having sensational tap water so I use it to water everything, as do most growers I've come across here. And then with the medium, the idea is with seedlings in cultivation to focus on root production to establish the plant. These seedlings all had barely formed new roots so you need to maximise their capacity to absorb water and nutrients and sphagnum moss is brilliant for that. Generally when you buy seedling orchids of any type they are in sphagnum. After the first year, or so when the roots and the plant are established, you can pot them on in their preferred medium and conditions. But as I said, I'm a RANK amateur with patchy success rate!! But so far these are all doing well.

Yes - it would depend upon your environment - but I love a plastic bag green house!

Good luck!!!! At that price you could afford a few mistakes!

Update? I just picked up a flask of Capalaba beauty X winter for $40. I've never done this before, I have Orchids of different types and not even killed a leaf so far but I know I'm pushing things uphill with this flask thing I'm about to deflask in the next hour.

@@Brads-strung-out Few comments on my process and findings: Note, as our host always says, I am an amateur so take my findings with a grain of salt. 1 - Need to wash all the agar/jelly off as it's highly nutrient and will start bacteria growth. 2 - Need to use a mild fungicide on the plants roots when they're first removed as they're being exposed to the big world for the first time. 3 - I used a medium seed propagation box and drilled holes into the bottom to ensure water didn't collect, then covered the bottom in a small layer of moist spagnum moss. My flasks has more plants than I needed so I picked the largest of the lot, or planted the smaller ones in a bunch. 4 - placed them in a warm but fully shaded area. I kept them sealed for about a week, only opening to mist if I noticed no condensation on the clear lid. After the week I started opening the lid for a while daily for about an hour at a time. This continued for another week from memory. Sorry it was a while ago. 5 - transferred each into small pots. You need to keep them slightly damp (never fully dry) during this entire process or the roots will not continue to establish. From this point it was awaiting game. Lost about 30% overall, some due to fungus/bacteria growth, some didn't establish. High light went purple and became unwell and slow to grow, Low light never developed further and died off. Some I used Coir plugs with. I probably kept them a bit on the dry side, but basically all my deflasked orchids did not like it and root into it. A couple I intentionally kept damp (as it is very easy to tell when a plug is dry or damp due to colour) and the plugs themselves got algae or mold growth. Do not recommend it personally. It's more of an industry item for bulk deflasking I feel due to ease of potting/lack of mess. Overall happy with how it went but now I have too many seedlings than I know what to do with bahaha.

The abject failure was Anguloa clowesii and the partial success was Lycaste skinneri! And sure...maybe I'll have a giveaway day! We'll see how many survive in into next year.

Hi there - the plants are still growing! Quite slow growers so once there's something to show I'll re-visit them!

yea... I think when the weather warms up they will be taking off like a rocket@@helloplantlovers

On line generally - have a google where ever you are.

Not bad! I'd say about 50% largely because I've been neglectful of them and they like to be kept reasonably moist! But I'll end up with a quite a few good sized plants.

Still happy! I have a lot of plants that made it!

@@helloplantlovers excellent! I think I will have a go 😀, you talked me into it Matthew!

Hi there - I'm not sure any Australian grower will ship overseas - you'll have to find some one more locally I'm afraid.

@@helloplantlovers thank you!!! Appreciate your prompt reply!

Ohhh...good! Did you do an update? If not, that would be interesting. I guess I'm a little late to the party 😳