Redneck Orchid Flasking - Page 8 - Orchid Board

John · #71 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 10:25 PM

Hi Abby, I would suggest that you purchase media from Phytotechlabs.com that is premeasured and formulated. All you do is add it to boiling distilled water and then pour into flasks. This way you will eliminate a lot of chance for errors your first time around. I also would suggest you sterilize your flasks in a pressure canner at 15 lbs steam pressure. I think that it will give you better results. I use bleach solution to sterilize the glove box or flow hood. Mix a solution of 10% bleach and water(10ml of bleach to 100ml of water) and put it into a cheap spray bottle. Put everything you need into the glove box including the spray bottle, flasks, seed pod, tools, etc. and spray everywhere. Let this sit for 15 min and spray again. Let sit for another 15 min and then you can start working in the box as long as it is not opened. Everytime you open the box, it will need to be resprayed as above. Any tools that you use can be placed into a pan of bleach solution in the box or a container of alcohol. I made my first glove box from a 30 gal fish aquarium. Then I built a flow hood and I like that much better. Maybe Royal will jump in with some suggestions because I think he is using a glove box.
john

vmax3000 · #72 (**permalink**) 10-04-2008, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by addictedcountryman

as for my seed pod, i don't know if i should "harvest" it yet, i believe it is ready. should i cut it and put it in the fridge?

Is there any information out there on pod ripening times? I received a plant from Oak Hill (LLLOOOOVVVEEE them) and it had three pods on it. I would like to try, again....this time, sterilize the seed better

. But, I don't know how long Ang. calceolus takes to ripen. The pods are rather large, so I assume they are fairly well along in their ripening process. Like Abby, sorry for all of the questions, but maybe my third time will be the charm?!?

addictedcountryman · #73 (**permalink**) 10-04-2008, 01:09 AM

lol thanks for the replies everyone. this is more than helpful. i will be flasking in no time. ha ha i can see my hubby walking on me with gloves in a fish tank now....

dgenovese1 · #74 (**permalink**) 10-04-2008, 01:40 AM

Here is a link to Seed Pod Harvesting Times that I use:

Seed Pod Harvesting Times

It is from a vendor, Ruben in Orchids, that I have been using to do my flasking, although I am seriously considering doing my own. I have found this thread to be very informative...and at times fun too.

So far I have found someone to actually teach me their methods, and he also has an extra flow hood he is willing to sell me for $250 (is this a good price?)...my only holdup is deciding if I have the space for it all in my home office. Ah...decisions, decisions...

Thanks everyone for posting.

John · #75 (**permalink**) 10-04-2008, 04:09 PM

David $250 for a flow hood is a great price. Just make sure that everything is in working order. If you have to replace the filter it can get pricey. If possible, have your friend start it up and do a test to be sure it works before you bring it home. (get it running and clean and then open a flask in the air stream for 10 min, seal the flask and let sit for a week, if no contamination you would be good to go).
John

RoyalOrchids · #76 (**permalink**) 10-04-2008, 05:34 PM

John's right, 250 is great if it works.

Vanessa, There is a really good (long) list out there somewhere. I know it's been linked here so you may want to search the threads for it. I know lotte and thomas has one. If all else fails - PM Dorothy!

addictedcountryman · #77 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 06:51 PM

What happens if my pod started to split? I have tapped the seeds into a coffee filter and I folded it. Should I refrigerate it?

John · #78 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 08:32 PM

Here is a link to the Orchid Seed Bank Project where you can click on Technical Data and near the bottom of the list is Orchid Seed Handling and Storage. If you are going to sow the seeds soon then you may just need to keep them dry. OSP

John

addictedcountryman · #79 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 08:41 PM

thanks! looks like im good.

RoyalOrchids · #80 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by addictedcountryman

What happens if my pod started to split? I have tapped the seeds into a coffee filter and I folded it. Should I refrigerate it?

John's right, if you are to sow them soon, just keep them dry. To store them for any length of time, you'll need to allow the seed to dry a bit. A couple of weeks indoors (with dry air from A/C or Heat) should do it. For long term storage you'll need to refrigerate them. Cold temps dramatically extend the life of the seed. Also, cold storage can be beneficial for some types of seed by imitating vernalization and increasing germination rate.