sterile hood ideas for flasking

[ehanes7612]

curious what ideas people have for a hood to do flasking. Was thinking about building one of plexiglass , window fan and a HEPA filter. I also heard of using an oven

 

[TyroneGenade]

See http://www.ukorchidforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=1292&start=25#p14808 . You don't really need a hood nor a pressure cooker/autoclave. I use H2O2 to surface sterilize plastic tubs for flasking and the contamination rate is very low (and can always be traced back to sloppy forceps technique rather than unsterilized tubs).

 

[ehanes7612]

See http://www.ukorchidforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=1292&start=25#p14808 . You don't really need a hood nor a pressure cooker/autoclave. I use H2O2 to surface sterilize plastic tubs for flasking and the contamination rate is very low (and can always be traced back to sloppy forceps technique rather than unsterilized tubs).

nice..thanks

 

[ehanes7612]

i found a site that shows how to sterilize media with the oven ..300 degrees F (150 C)...of course , cant use plastic

 

[tim]

make media, pour however much you want into one of these, put in microwave until media boils + 1 minute...http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=35993

 

[ehanes7612]

make media, pour however much you want into one of these, put in microwave until media boils + 1 minute...http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=35993

i would have to buy a microwave oven..dont like microwave ovens ...but maybe

 

[Kyle]

I made my own laminar flow hood for about $400. The major cost was the filter and the fan. The wood was about fifty and fifty for the glass. Let me know if yo want more info. If you are serious about this, a laminar flow hood and pressure cooker are the way to go.

 

[ehanes7612]

I made my own laminar flow hood for about $400. The major cost was the filter and the fan. The wood was about fifty and fifty for the glass. Let me know if yo want more info. If you are serious about this, a laminar flow hood and pressure cooker are the way to go.

thanks, i found a link to how to construct a laminar flow hood

 

[Dido]

http://www.orchideenvermehrung.at/deutsch.htm

In this link you can find a construction plan

 

[TyroneGenade]

i found a site that shows how to sterilize media with the oven ..300 degrees F (150 C)...of course , cant use plastic

This is not needed. Fill the tubs (use the hard heat resistant plastic used for warm foods like soup etc...) with the medium (with agar added), and heat to 80 oC (176 oF), snap on the lid and allow to cool and stand for a day. Repeat this 3 times. This is a method which was publishes in the AOS journal many moons ago but I forget the exact name. I haven't tried this myself but it should work.

The thick plastic tubs can take temps in excess of 100 oC (212 oF).

 

[Candace]

I made my own with a filter using a plastic box. Tried very hard, but it was a miserable failure. Just too small and everything was contaminated. I've also heard about using an oven, but I know I would spill inside of it and I really don't want to buy a new oven. If I ever got serious, I'd probably buy a used laminar flow unit and keep my eye on the local college/university surplus. I've seen them within a couple hours drive of me.

 

[ehanes7612]

http://www.orchideenvermehrung.at/deutsch.htm

In this link you can find a construction plan

thats the one i found, thanks

 

[polyantha]

I built a clean bench myself. For +- 80 Dollars and it is working perfectly. I used the e-motor from a vacuum cleaner. The cheapest HEPA's are the ones used in vacuum cleaners for people who suffer from pollen allergies. You will probably get one for 10 to 20 bucks.
I plan to make a Homepage for non-commercial orchid breeders. From the beginning to building a cleanbench over sowing techniques to replating. But in German It is absolutely possible to make the whole sowing process at home, the only problem could eventually be the available space for the young plants ;-)

 

[Dido]

Please keep us updated polyantha.
I am thinking on built something for my own.
Do you have a pict of your clean bench.

 

[cnycharles]

... It is absolutely possible to make the whole sowing process at home, the only problem could eventually be the available space for the young plants ;-)

it could be quite possible that the offhand surplus of associated flasking stuff would overwhelm your storage area. each time you try new bottles, or sterilizing equipment, new filters light bulbs and such, you will have to store it somewhere. when i just moved, much of my stuff (read 'junk') was orchid-related, often types of potting or mounting media, old s/h pellets and cork mounts, pots, various fertilizers and old things from former growing shelves etc etc etc

good luck and have fun!

 

[polyantha]

Here you are:

It is quite small (not much larger than a microwave) and weight is around 15 kg. It is very solid and good for carrying around, but still big enough for a hobbyist.

For more pics and info, please visit my homepage when it is up. I will post the link soon.

 

[Marc]

That's an interesting setup!

Thanks for sharing these plans.

 

[keithrs]

Nice!!!!

 

[biothanasis]

Great work polyantha!!!! :clap:

 

[Dido]

Great setup I have to start to built one, do do my own seedlings.
Thanks for the pic