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

This week Plant Lovers I'm gamely attempting a THIRD go at de-flasking orchid seedlings. Turns out this one wasn't that difficult to actually open....but what happens from here on...who knows!! Wish me luck with this flask of Doritis pulcherrima which has recently been placed back in the family fold as Phalaenopsis pulcherrima.

[@lindseycherry314]

You are my favorite orchid-related KZbinr by far, and your outfits are just as fantastic as your orchids are. I love the pink sweater!

[@helloplantlovers]

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

[@hojabotanica]

Hi I would like to see a follow up video... Regards from the Netherlands :)

[@helloplantlovers]

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

[@Brads-strung-out]

So, I receivied a flask of Capalaba beauties in the mail today. I'll deflask tomorrow, new to this game, have a few already, but babies? Giving it a go.

[@helloplantlovers]

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

[@erdalderici7577]

Hello, I have a question regarding seed starting plug. I think these sponges are bound by a particular polymer. Does anyone know the name of this polymer used in production of the seed starting sponge plugs? I am open to any documents and information regarding the production of these sponge plugs as well. Thank you

[@helloplantlovers]

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

[@anndriggers6660]

Aaahhhh! You're supposed to rinse them in sterile/distilled water! Leaving the agar on can kill those little plants. They'll just rot away...

[@anndriggers6660]

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

[@lindabaker6034]

May I ask, what happened with your flask babies? Are they still alive and how many have made it ? I'm asking because i want to buy a flask and would like to know if there is a chance of success. I really enjoy all of your videos.

[@helloplantlovers]

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!

[@cristinarasgaitis7111]

Love your videos! I'm looking forward every week for what's coming up, what beautiful orchid you have to show us... 😊 thank you!

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for finding me!

[@bonsaibanana6070]

Hi Matthew,love your posts! Did you buy the flask in Australia? Any advice on a good grower? Thanks ❤

[@helloplantlovers]

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.

[@cynthiakoester8716]

Have you posted a follow up video about these flask orchids? Please post the link to it in comments. Im very interested to hear/see how they progressed. Thank you

[@helloplantlovers]

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

[@JuliesOrchids]

Matthew, What a great informative video. Thank you. I have taken inspiration from you and jumped feet first into the deep end and bought x 2 flasks of orchids that I have been searching and searching for. I'm going to be attempting some species Phals. Question, did you purchase this flask from Rosella Orchids in NSW? I was curious as they ship theirs in Erlenmeyer Flasks and that looks like an Erlenmeyer flask. If not, what nursery did you purchase from ? My understanding is that Flasks can more easily be shipped into WA than plants, and.....well....I may look at more flasks to add to my collection. Kindly advise.

[@helloplantlovers]

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!

[@michaelmccarthy4077]

Best of luck with them, Phals are probably the easiest to grow on from flask. With the smaller plants, I prefer to stick them into compots because 1) saves space 2) they seem to grow on better when grouped. For myself, I find a rinse in a weak Physan solution when I deflask them is critical for success, followed by leaving them to dry on paper towels for a couple of hours before potting them.

[@helloplantlovers]

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

[@markcaesar-ianarnedo3981]

Hi, where do u buy flasked orchids?

[@helloplantlovers]

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

[@sally.gatenby]

Hello! How did these turn out? Good success rate?

[@helloplantlovers]

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.

[@michaelpye5972]

excellent, have you done an update on them?

[@helloplantlovers]

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

[@tangleslong499]

Any updates on those baby plants?

[@helloplantlovers]

One still going strong!!

[@annareiter952]

Good luck! Many years ago I brought home some bottles from an orchidfarm in Thailand. As far as I remember it were Epidendrums. Didn't work. Many regards!

[@helloplantlovers]

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....

[@juliekennon8965]

I’ve been wanting to try this myself. Thanks for sharing your tests. Do you have a photo of what these will look like. I guess I can google it. Let us all know what you’ll have in a year. We far away subscribers may want one shipped....exciting, best wishes!

[@helloplantlovers]

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

[@PlantVisionz]

any update on this method of deflasking?

[@helloplantlovers]

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

[@PlantVisionz]

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

[@gayathrimurthy8005]

Please let me know how to buy these flasks online.I live in India

[@helloplantlovers]

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

[@gayathrimurthy8005]

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

[@flameangel202]

I was very interested in your deflasking, not that it is on my radar anytime soon lol. I have had experience growing African Violets from the “ mother leaf” with great success, I now have eight plants of various size. In the African violet culture, I know some advise you can put the seedling in a plastic bag to keep the humidity up , could this help in seedling Orchids too ? especially after deflasking ? Where they have been used to a sterile, enclosed environment .

[@helloplantlovers]

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

[@BlackCat-fr4ue]

I'm curious, what was the success and failure that you mentioned? BTW, you can put me down for one of the seedlings, if any survive. Fingers crossed for you....

[@helloplantlovers]

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.

[@zula6436]

Hi,Matthew 👋 Thank you for sharing this interesting subject about orchids growing. The little baby 🌱 's look realy nice/ healthy . Let us know how you managing their growth,please 🙏😃. Wishing you all the success. Take care....Zuzanna 🤗⚘.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thank you - I'll keep everyone updated!

[@carolesykes7955]

That was really interesting thanks Matthew. I've never seen any one else do this and it seems a really good idea. It prompted a couple of questions.. you said it was terrestrial yet you planted them in an epiphytic mix? and what did you rinse them off with? I would have thought tap water could be detrimental. No way are they criticisms, just curious 😊

[@helloplantlovers]

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.

[@howtogirl]

Thank you for this vid! Been looking forward to it since your reply to my last comment. I just got out of hospital to discover my massive orchid order had arrived so my collection just about tripled both in mature and seedlings haha. Fingers crossed for success!

[@helloplantlovers]

Well what a great coming home present! Good luck!

[@kevins9242]

Super fun! I’ll be watching to see how those plantlets progress. :)

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@bibicheknauf4163]

Good luck and make sure to keep us updated😍

[@helloplantlovers]

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

[@bbost3]

A local orchid group show up in QLD had flasks for $20! Couldn't pass up the opportunity to experiment and see if I have any success. Will let you know!

[@helloplantlovers]

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

[@Brads-strung-out]

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.

[@bbost3]

@@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.

[@nariepittman4632]

How did they go? Would love to try a flask!

[@helloplantlovers]

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

[@nariepittman4632]

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

[@desiregrace6701]

My - I like - again 👍🏼💕

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@donnaread4109]

Good luck, good JOB .

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@sandramynard1046]

Great video info

[@helloplantlovers]

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