Orchid Flasking - Orchid Board

Mantellaprince20 · #1 07-10-2005, 06:02 PM

Hey there, I am just deciding I would like to start making orchid flasks, and I was curious if anyone knows any good websites on the topic, as well as where to get supplies. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks,

Ed Parker

Marty · #2 07-10-2005, 09:37 PM

Ed, if you do find a good site, make sure you add it here to links. It would be valuable info to know how flasking is done.

M.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mantellaprince20

Hey there, I am just deciding I would like to start making orchid flasks, and I was curious if anyone knows any good websites on the topic, as well as where to get supplies. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks,

Ed Parker

Mantellaprince20 · #3 07-11-2005, 03:20 PM

well, since no one had many suggestions yet, I did some web surfing 8) . Anyway, I came across this website that has really good instructions on how to flask orchids. Hooray, I can finally put my Laelia seeds to use, as well as more that I will be purchasing. And just an fyi, you can usually find seeds really cheap on ebay. Now all I need to find is the medium for the flasks. Well, I hope I am not the only adventurer in this field, I would also like to hear other peoples experiences with flasking,

Ed Parker

link:
http://www.orchidsource.com/GB_seed_manual.html

Oscarman · #4 07-31-2005, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mantellaprince20

Hey there, I am just deciding I would like to start making orchid flasks, and I was curious if anyone knows any good websites on the topic, as well as where to get supplies. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks,

Ed Parker

Here are a couple of links to flasking info:

http://www.troymeyers.com/direct/?0215
This site outlines compotting of seedlings removed from flask. This is the method I use quite successfully, except that I add a layer of styrofoam pieces in the bottom of each pot (otherwise the moss stays too wet).

http://www.orchideenvermehrung.at/english/index.htm
Excellent info,.......... wanna build a Laminar Flow Hood?

www.psfdev.com/los/flasking/

Stefanie · #5 08-01-2005, 05:31 PM

flasking itself is very easy.. it's keeping the contanimants out that's the problem! You can flask with less than a hood, but you should create several flasks on the off chance that one or more will become contanimated. And use lots of clorox solution to wipe EVERYTHING down...

I flask in a rediculous acrylic box with rubber gloves stuck through holes in the side... very cumbersome, but does the trick. All supplies must go into the box, including the clorox solution and wash cloth... once inside the box, EVERYTHING, including the insides of the box, are washed with the solution before beginning.

So far, I've had moderate luck... contanimation usually happens pretty quickly, but I've had some that became contaminated months laters... probably not from the original flasking, but some air leak somewhere...

Stef

Steve_Parente · #6 08-11-2005, 05:53 PM

Aloha,

I just returned from Thailand and visited several orchid farms and flasking facilities. The Thai's use a very effective means of preventing contamination by using UV lights about 12-14" long mounted in the hood. They use the standard method of bleach to sterilize instruments and surfaces, but they told me that most of the sterilization was acheived by UV. This is the same type of UV lighting used in sterilizing drinking water.

I ran a search for "small ultraviolet surface disinfection light for sale" and found the following site: http://www.1000bulbs.com/category.php?category=879
There were several others listed.

I'm new to this forum and could upload couple of photos of the hood if there was a graphics upload button... which I can't seem to find.

Steve
www.HawaiiTropicals.com

Oscarman · #7 08-12-2005, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve_Parente

Aloha,

I just returned from Thailand and visited several orchid farms and flasking facilities. The Thai's use a very effective means of preventing contamination by using UV lights about 12-14" long mounted in the hood. They use the standard method of bleach to sterilize instruments and surfaces, but they told me that most of the sterilization was acheived by UV. This is the same type of UV lighting used in sterilizing drinking water.

I ran a search for "small ultraviolet surface disinfection light for sale" and found the following site: http://www.1000bulbs.com/category.php?category=879
There were several others listed.

I'm new to this forum and could upload couple of photos of the hood if there was a graphics upload button... which I can't seem to find.

Steve
www.HawaiiTropicals.com

Hi Steve,
Ahh, Thailand - love the food!
That's pretty interesting about UV light in the hood. Are the workers exposed to the light while performing their flasking duties?

To insert pictures, you need to use the Img button. There is a post in Forum Feedback about inserting pics.
http://www.orchidboard.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=86

Steve_Parente · #8 08-12-2005, 03:28 PM

I also love the food! My wife has a Thai restaurant here in Hilo

Some Thai flaskers wore eye protection and gloves.

I thought there might be an upload function directly from my computer, but after reading your link, I created a gallery and linked the photos from my gallery. Thanks for the tip.

http://www.orchidboard.com/coppermin...d_flasking.jpg
http://www.orchidboard.com/coppermin...flask_hood.jpg

Marty · #9 08-12-2005, 04:01 PM

I"m going to be in Thailand and some other cool places in November. I can't wait. Food will be a major highlight for sure!!!

btw, Steve if you put your photo links in the image tags, they will show up in posts as pictures not as links

[img]link to photo[/img]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve_Parente

I also love the food! My wife has a Thai restaurant here in Hilo

Some Thai flaskers wore eye protection and gloves.

I thought there might be an upload function directly from my computer, but after reading your link, I created a gallery and linked the photos from my gallery. Thanks for the tip.

http://www.orchidboard.com/coppermin...d_flasking.jpg
http://www.orchidboard.com/coppermin...flask_hood.jpg

Oscarman · #10 08-12-2005, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marty

I"m going to be in Thailand and some other cool places in November. I can't wait. Food will be a major highlight for sure!!!

btw, Steve if you put your photo links in the image tags, they will show up in posts as pictures not as links

Hey, I'm going to be in some cool places in November too! It's called Alberta Winter - perhaps you've heard of it!