Media preparation for homemade flasking !

[Phalguy]

Hello TerryNFlorida!

thank you for your kind comment!

Here`s the difference between Mother flask and Replate flask.

Mother flasking are use to sow seeds or tissue culture. ( I`m testing a method for orchid node culture... ).
I`m using an agar agar media with hormones and fertilizer and a simple form of sugar. Because the seeds have no way to break down complex carbohydrate molecule, I use a simple form of sugar like fructose or sugar cane.

When the seed has developped into protocorn, they now need CO2 for photosynthesis. This is why I`m using a vented replating flask. First of all, the protocorn will have more room to develop and by changing the sugar content by a complex carbohydrate ( potato flakes or banana puree or coconut milk),you will stimulate roots formation.
Gaz exchange can occure now because we are using a vented flask . The protocorn can now develop roots and leaf.

Hope this is clear

Phalguy

[Pippin]

Coconut milk or coconut water? I knew that coconut milk is not suitable for tissue culture.

[Phalguy]

It`s coconut water! Oups !

[kaiha]

Phalguy

Have you had successful germination with this media? I was planning to use the recipe to sow some seeds that I received.

Thank You
Barb

[kavanaru]

Originally Posted by Phalguy

It`s coconut water! Oups !

The reason for adding coconut water is due to the rooting plant hormones in it (Cytokinines, if I remember that right). So, if yu add K-L-N root grow or other commercial rooting hormones, you can avoid the coconut water...

[Dpmac]

Hi Phalguy.
Thank you for this very helpful instructions. I just have question about the agar. You said

"4. Measure the agar agar ( 6 Gram per liter , about 1 ½ ounce )"

I don't think that 6g is 1 1/2 ounce. Because 1 ounce = 28.3g. So is it 6g per liter or 1 1/2 ounce per liter which is 45g?

Thank you

[charmbutterfly]

This is brilliant!! I can't wait to try it!! YAY!!

[halioscia]

everybody!
Congratulation Phalguy!
I found your documentation very helpful to prepare media for an "in vitro node culture" of a phalaenopsis!
Greetings from Italy... and sorry for my english!
Alice

[kosmickforestchild]

Originally Posted by Phalguy

Hello!
Oups, sorry about the Agar agar....
PH strip are perfect ! Just adjust your PH between 5.6 and 6.0 .
I use Fuctose for my mother flask and I use potatoes or banana ( starch ) for replating.
What I have read is you don`t need high sugar concentration to get protocorn but you need complex carbohydrate ( potatoes, banana ) to get the protocorn to roots. This is why I use two different medium for flasking.

Bananas and potatoes contain healthy doses of potassium(which is associated with starches) which is one of the three major micronutrients required by most plants, and is associated with root formation, cell membrane integrity, thickening of tissue, production of protein, starches and sugars, as well as water balance. Makes sense doesn't it? Thats exactly what you need to get those babies to the next level. I'm sure you all knew that, I just got my horticulture degree last year and any chance i get to babble about that stuff i do, thanks for putting up with me.

[kosmickforestchild]

Originally Posted by kavanaru

The reason for adding coconut water is due to the rooting plant hormones in it (Cytokinines, if I remember that right). So, if yu add K-L-N root grow or other commercial rooting hormones, you can avoid the coconut water...

I'm all for convenience but I love the idea of using natural sources for just about anything. Yeah, coconut water may not be the purest, most potent substance but it's certainly a very natural and organic method (..and i bet it smells like the beach!) Just like in the good old days where old time gardeners rooted cuttings in vases with willow stems (for the salicylic acid) instead of straight rooting hormone which often contains a synthetic hormone. I'm sure it's not the worst thing in the world (the synthetic hormone i mean) but i sure wouldn't eat it...as for the willow, they're highly edible especially and useful for a headache.