From Flask to Comunity Pots - A Photo Essay

[Phred]

I’ve ve posted on this subject here and there a bit but thought a beginning to end set of photos would be cool.

 

[Phred]

 

[Phred]

 

[Phred]

 

[Phred]

 

[tomkalina]

Very similar to what we do in terms of spraying the root mass to remove most of the agar, except we use 4" square net bottom pots for our compots and we don't separate the seedlings until they're ready for individual pots. I think Orchids, Ltd. sells these net bottom pots.

 

[Ray]

Considering my limited space, I don't do that any more, but I always started with bark that had been thoroughly wetted before potting, figuring (right or wrong) that dry bark might act as a desiccant to new roots. That's even more critical if you use LECA!

 

[BrucherT]

I love this. Thank you so much. I want to do more flasks since I seem to have succeeded so far with one. They are just so tempting.

 

[spujr]

Very nice post! Have you tried this with phrags as well?

 

[Carper]

i have attempted many flasks over the last few years with very good success. However, in my approach, I separate and pot up individually from the outset but this takes time and takes up more space in my moderately small greenhouse. I have looked and noted the alternatives in this post. My questions would be, how long would you leave the entire seedling together in this compot and is it anymore difficult to separate the seedlings as the roots grow?

Gary
UK

 

[Phred]

Very nice post! Have you tried this with phrags as well?

Phrag roots aren’t as hairy as Paph roots so I depends on how big they are. Smaller ones tend to separate as you wash the medium off.

 

[Phred]

i have attempted many flasks over the last few years with very good success. However, in my approach, I separate and pot up individually from the outset but this takes time and takes up more space in my moderately small greenhouse. I have looked and noted the alternatives in this post. My questions would be, how long would you leave the entire seedling together in this compot and is it anymore difficult to separate the seedlings as the roots grow?

Gary
UK

Unless Paph seedling separate on their own as you rinse them it’s better to leave them together. Teasing the seedlings apart can damage the roots and it sets them back. It’s much easier to separate them later. Paphs generally stay in a compot for 6 months to 1 year. When they’re ready to come out the new roots will separate easily. The old roots will be mostly dead and if you break them no harm will come to the seedlings

 

[Phred]

What seedling should look like when you take them out of compots.

 

[Carper]

Unless Paph seedling separate on their own as you rinse them it’s better to leave them together. Teasing the seedlings apart can damage the roots and it sets them back. It’s much easier to separate them later. Paphs generally stay in a compot for 6 months to 1 year. When they’re ready to come out the new roots will separate easily. The old roots will be mostly dead and if you break them no harm will come to the seedlings

OK thanks. Will be giving this a go on my next purchase.

Gary

 

[likespaphs]

this is great! thanks

 

[NYEric]

Looking good. Where are you in NJ!?

 

[Phred]

Looking good. Where are you in NJ!?

South near Philadelphia

 

[NYEric]

There is an eBay vendor down near Shamong.

 

[Phred]

There are a few eBay vendors down here. Not big Paph vendors though.

 

[cnycharles]

You must be near me, I live in Elmer
I’d forgotten that the eBay vendor was near me, in pine barrens no less