It is not every time that a genie comes out of the bottle . In the world of orchids , often you find your coveted orchid is available in a bottle . But what about the notion that deflasking and rearing tissue-cultured or seed-grown orchids from bottles is difficult and best done by experts ? You can deflask and care for seedlings if you pay attention to few basic details and trust yourself . What makes deflasking and growing orchid from flasks daunting ? The main issue that comes to my mind is creating the micro-environment needed to grow the seedlings post deflasking . To decipher this mystery , let ’ s try to analyze the life inside an orchid flask .
Figure 1 . Flasks ready for deflasking .
Life inside the orchid flask The humidity is 100 %, there is plenty of nutrition , and there are no pathogens ( diseasecausing agents ). These conditions account for the luxuriant growth of the seedlings with lovely green leaves and long white roots . So , once you deflask , you have to create an environment similar to this ideal world and gradually teach the seedlings to grow in the real world . This is called acclimatization .
What acclimatization means to me
Let ’ s be realistic — we want to grow our orchids outside on our porch or in a greenhouse where grow them in around 60 % to 80 % humidity . So , the first task is to adapt the plants to grow in lower humidity . This is probably the most important thing . Next is getting the plant to assimilate nutrition by developing a root system . New root development is one of the most reassuring signs after deflasking . Last is the development of resistance to infections . This comes with greater maturity of plants and gradual acclimatization .
Creating our high humidity chamber Creating this environment is the first step as this is where the seedlings like be kept after deflasking . The size of the chamber is dictated by the number of flasks you intend to deflask . Go ahead , get an aquarium , clean
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Growing Phalaenopsis from Flasks for Hobbyists — My Way of Doing It Dr . Devapratim Mohanty
Figure 2 . Seedlings getting an antimicrobial dip .
Figure 3 . Seedlings drying on newspaper .
it up with some disinfectant and fill it with an inch of water . The micro-environment inside the aquarium should be such that the seedling should be able to adapt to it without much stress and then gradually accept the gradual changes brought about within the environment . So , I can put it this way : on the day of deflasking , the environment inside the aquarium is more like that inside the tissueculture flask and gradually it is changed to something similar to the environment of the greenhouse or the porch to where the plants will be moved . To set up your acclimatization chamber , you should be aware of the prevailing temperature , humidity , and the light intensity of the area where you want to acclimatize .
Gadgets needed in your set up :
1 . Two small battery-operated fans to keep the air circulating for 24 hours a day for at least the first few days . 2 . A hygrometer and thermometer ( can be purchased on eBay ). 3 . A transparent sheet to cover the aquarium . 4 . Trays to hold your seedlings .
Hunting for that coveted flask and receiving it There are many vendors who can sell you a flask of orchid seedlings and most will ship around the globe . Once you receive the flask , check for signs of tampering . In today ’ s world , law enforcement agencies may open and check flasks . If it has been already opened elsewhere , you need to be extra cautious .
Deflasking
Deflasking is the simple process of removing the seedlings from the flask , washing them clean , giving them an antiseptic treatment , drying them , planting them in community trays , and placing them in our high-humidity chamber — the prepared aquarium .
Steps 1 . Breaking the flask can be done underwater or you can wrap the bottle with a towel and hit it with a hard object . 2 . To separate the mass of seedlings , shake them lightly in a tub of lukewarm water and
Figure 4 . Seedlings ready to be transported to the gradually the seedlings tend to separate . Try humidity chamber . not to break leaves and roots . Fourth Quarter , Vol . 22 ( 3 & 4 ) 2012 - Phalaenopsis