Deflasking orchids

DEFLASKING ORCHIDS

Items needed

A container with warm water to wash off the agar - 50ml to100ml pots - small size bark.

To remove the plants either tap the bottom of the flask till the whole lot falls towards the opening, gently pull the whole bunch out and swirl them in the water to remove the agar; or add a small amount of water to the flask and swirl it around until it comes out ( it may come out in pieces) again swirl them in the water. If the flask you have doesn't lend its self to use the above systems, you will need to break the flask. I wrap the flask with 5 or 6 sheets of newspaper, with a hammer I hit the very base to knock the end out, this reduces the amount of glass splinters. Then wash them as above.

Three systems of deflasking into compots

Many people half fill a 100ml pot and place the whole bunch of plants in the middle and then place the bark ( if Spagnum Moss works better, then use it the same way, but beware that the spag keeps wet longer) around the plants and firm down.
When you take the whole bunch of plants from the flask DONT wash off the agar, many say this gives the plants time to use the agar and helps them to survive during this trying time. I personally have tried it but I have found that as the agar dissolves it leaves an empty section in the middle, you need to check them and then either place more mix in the middle, or push the existing mix around the sides to close the hole.
Tease the plants gently and place in piles of the same size (I think it is better to keep the size about the same in each compot) , then place the single plants in the pot adding a small amount of bark to hold it up, its best to place them close .

In Australia we have a product which saves such a lot of seedlings ( especially for genera that has fine leaves) when you are deflasking. The trade name is "Envy" ( active ingredient -Carboxylated Hydrophilic Polymer) - It is unique based polymer that reduces transpiration by plants and is rainfast when dry. I add 50ml to 1 litre of water and fine spray the seedlings when I have placed them in the pots, this stops wilting.

Gently water the compots and then place in a well shaded warm situation ( inside a hothouse is great, but no direct sun). Inside under Fluro Tubes ( remember you must have a timer to turn the lights off - 10 hrs on and 14 hrs off) would also work well.

If you have a heat pad this will improve your chances of saving all the seedling from the flask. With the heat you must realise that the bark/spag. dries out quicker, so keep your eye on the pots.

Watering

This is where most deflasked plants are lost. While it is important not to let the compot dry right out, one must keep it damp all the time. A good way to check the wetness is to pickup the pot, if its very light or look into the drain hole and if its just damp then it needs watering. Fertilising - I wait for a week before I start, gives the plants a time to ajust to the change. After; I use 1/4 strength fertiliser every second watering.

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