Callum and Leigh are working on the best ways to deflask orchids as part of growing B4C’s native orchid collection.
Deflasking orchids is the of transitioning orchid seedlings from their sterile containers or flasks, where they are nurtured during their early development stages. Flasks provide a controlled, disease-free environment that protects the seeds and young plants, ensuring healthy germination and growth.
At B4C, the materials and methods for deflasking may evolve over time to align with our growing conditions and the insights gained from experience. Please share your thoughts, feedback, and recommendations.
Materials:
- Orchid flask
- Fungicide
- Bowl or bucket
- Paper towel
- Tepid water
- Sphagnum moss
- Perlite
- Tube stock pots
- Plant labels
- Tweezers
Method:
- Wash hands thoroughly, use gloves if necessary.
- Wash sphagnum moss/perlite 3-4 times and then sterilise with boiling water. Sterilise equipment with bleach solution (pots). Allow to cool/dry.
- Collect tepid water in sterilised bowl/bucket and add fungicide solution at the rate appropriate to the product.
- Carefully remove seedlings from jar with sterilised tweezers, place in fungicide solution and delicately wash the Agar jell completely from the plants to prevent fungal development (damping off). Replace water fungicide solution if necessary and repeat.
- Once cleaned, place seedlings on paper towel for 10-15 minutes.
- Squeeze excess water from the cooled sphagnum and mix in perlite at a rate of roughly 3:1.
- Prefill tube stock pots with the potting media, making sure to not overfill or compact the mix for good drainage.
- Carefully holding the seedlings in the centre of the pot, fill in around the stem to cover the roots. Remember to not overfill or compress the media.
- Place potted plants in tray with label and store in seedling house in wire cage.
Care instructions:
- Regularly monitor the seedlings for signs of fungus and rot.
- Fertilise every 7-10 days with ¼ strength fertiliser.
- Avoid touching plants with dirty hands.
- Keep out of direct sunlight and store at 20-25°c.
- Ensure potting media isn’t too dry or holding too much moisture.
