How to de-flask orchids; a step by step guide with specialist grower Michael J. Coker

This week Plant Lovers a VERY special video; I went to visit Michael J. Coker in his incredible orchid houses to learn his step by step guide for de-flasking orchids! I've tried twice to de-flask - with varying degrees of failure! So lets learn from an expert who's de-flasked over 2000 flasks to date! ...but even Michael has had some failures....which is reassuring! Michael is the President of The Orchid Societies Council of Victoria - oscov.asn.au/ - and I would have to say he's about as far up the orchid growing food chain in Melbourne imaginable!! After making this video with Michael and learning all the tricks of the trade, I'm ready to try again! Michael's Ebay handle is BOUTIQUE ORCHIDS and he often sells at the Orchid Species Society of Victoria's sales day and you can find out when that is here: / ossv.inc
And this is a great source of flasks in Australia: www.kevalloyd.com.au/malleepha...

[@suzisaintjames]

0:02 if I had two pups like you have, I'd pot them together with some space in-between OR put those two little pots in one decorative pot to make it easier on myself. This way, I can treat them as one and they wouldn't have the risk of falling over. Sending lots of love 💖 from sunny 🌞 Arizona 🌵 USA. Take care of yourself and each other 😷.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@brendabailey2307]

Thank you for that, so interesting.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@newmanmansell760]

I enjoyed watching and learning about deflasking🥰🙌

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@LizE2654]

Very interesting video!

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@Thenandagain]

I love your videos.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching them!

[@DownButNotOutYet]

Good afternoon Mathew, love your videos. Your visit to Michael J. Coker was so interesting. I was under the impression that only "certain" orchid growers can manage flasks!! Michael faces any of these challenges quite in his stride. If they are not strong enough to survive, too bad, as there is nothing more to do. Some orchid plants are just not quality specimens, so it is better that they, from the flask stage to just bow out gracefully. There is no need for me to know more as I will not venture into the orchid flask specimens. All the best with your plants, I am sure they will do wonderfully as there is already a root making it's way into the outside world. I would love to listen to the follow-up discussions. Do take care, and thank you for the most interesting orchid discussions.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@bibicheknauf4163]

Very interesting. Thank you very much😍

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@lorihobson7397]

Very interesting and knowledgeable guest. Thanks for sharing.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching! He is brilliant!

[@dianecollins2735]

Informative presentation thank you Michael and Matthew. I have bought a number of my orchids as seedlings and it has really helped to find out their requirements for fertilising etc. Hopefully, I might have a little more success with my seedling babies in future.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching and good luck!

[@BloomingGoodOrchids]

I really enjoyed this video. I was always scared about buying flask. I'm certainly going to give it a go when I have the opportunity 😊😊. Thank you so much. Have a fabulous week😂

[@helloplantlovers]

And you - thanks for watching!

[@fraxinus7399]

Super interesting video! Maybe one day I'll treat myself by buying a flask! I put a thumb up just for you. Greetings from France.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@teresastewart9760]

Very interesting and informative video. Thanks for making this video. You've given me a little more confidence to try deflasking orchids myself.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching - good luck!

[@PlantBasics]

Thank you so much!

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@michaeln3125]

Very informative - thanks !

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@user-fo5qm6wx7d]

Nice video Matt, de flasking is very interesting , not going there yet haha

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching - just not yet!

[@marvelouspetronela]

I managed to germinate some as per the Hefka method when I accidentaly pollinated store bought orchid as a result of a stupid experiment ( I made fun to my Mom that I can figure pollination out without the help of the internet😅) and ended up with two seedpots. But the end results were... 4 seedlings😂😅. Disappointing to say the least. I don't feel I'm ready for the flasking method yet. I am no novice to pollinating and germination of exotic plant seeds. My experience spans years. I grow a lot of plants from seeds and find it the most satisfying kind of plant parenting. But orchids I still learn about and before flasking (which is method I for sure will try in the future) I still want to try some easy to germinate orchids such as disa that do not require the kind of work I put into the Hefka method... Thank you for this video. I truly enjoy your content! Your videos are a sole reason my own orchid collecion, the one apart from the grocery store bought plants, is growing steadily.😁 P.S.I just got myself my very first angreacum (sesquipedale)! All the best to you! Cannot wait for more videos!

[@helloplantlovers]

Thank you very much and thanks for watching!

[@bethkunberger8638]

Thank you! Just purchased my first flask today, so this is very helpful.

[@helloplantlovers]

Good luck!

[@FenellaMtutu-qh4hj]

Thank you for all this info. Here we are limited as to the orchids we can get hold of, so maybe flasks are the way to go. However, I don’t think I can cope with 14 little ones at a time.😍

[@helloplantlovers]

It's a commitment!

[@hannahscheliin4252]

i find if i open the flask at least 5-7 days before taking them out, I have the best result,s as it gives them time to harden off and give the cells in the leaves time to learn how to start to work without disturbing the roots,

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@sylviabeichert943]

Thanks for this great video Matthew. I was wondering when you'd repot with mycofungi powder added & would heat mats be advised if the nights were below a certain temp?

[@helloplantlovers]

You can add Mycorrhizal fungi every time you re-pot - it can't hurt the plant. And I don't use any equipment so I couldn't help with the heat mat question I'm afraid.

[@actsnfacts]

I use crushed stone for the medium, either granite or quartz, or both. Same size as your bark. In the first few weeks I have them in transparent, not drained plastic container, closed with a lid. Pretty much like the kind of environment they had in the flask, except for the agar. Mild fertilization at this point. Then I open the container everyday, a little longer every time. In a few weeks I place them in their final growing spot, where they can even get some rain water. They will need draining holes and no lid at this point.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@actsnfacts]

thank you for posting! @@helloplantlovers

[@BlackCat-fr4ue]

Great Vid, thanks for making this one. Interesting and enjoyable to watch. One interesting observation. - Ferns....you to? Undoubtabley, I have the second largest of Ferns germinating everywhere since I started buying from Collectors Corner, it must be something in the bark? Lastly, I missed what type of fertiliser Michael uses?

[@helloplantlovers]

I'm glad I'm not imaging the fern invasion! Michael didn't mention the specific fertiliser he uses in the video; It's a liquid all purpose one he uses on all plants.

[@michaelmccarthy4077]

IMO, Phals do much better when potted as a compot out of flask versus individually. Most others it doesn't seem to make a big difference either way.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@dawnmarie52]

I've never seen one before or in a shop or anything. I live in Michigan

[@helloplantlovers]

Hi there - you won't see them in shops - it's quite a specialist thing. You do find them on ebay or through orchid shows or groups. Good luck!

[@hannahscheliin4252]

had to add another comment why would you put a baby orchid fresh out of a flask that has never been in sun in highlight,, please take them up there over time,

[@dianecollins2735]

I liked the way Michael suggested it's important to be aware of the usual requirements of a particular type of orchid. Because he was de-flasking an Australian Denbrodium he commented that putting the newly potted seedlings into a bright spot in his sheltered orchid house was ideal for them. I also appreciated his comment that choosing the right time of the year to de-flask in his part of Australia was important.

[@hannahscheliin4252]

please donrt feed them until at least 6 weeks . do not put them in highlight until hardened of,f or gradually. up over time. you have just taken the out of a glass microclimate

[@actsnfacts]

Recently deflasked seedlings do have some nutrient reserves, but I wouldn't leave them with no fertilization for a full 6 weeks. Instead, I do a very, very mild fertilization from day one. While in the jars they had a 24/7 availability of nutrients, but didn't rely on photosynthesis. I want them to start getting used to taking up nitrogen and making their own photosynthesized food, right away, not wait until they run out of those reserves. But it is right to do it at very high dilution, maybe four times more diluted than your normal fertilizer solution. Or more!