Phrag Flasks / Baby Pictures

Hey all. I just received a new flask of phrags. I have read previous posts about de-flasking paphs and other genera. All those comments and suggestions are what made me brave enough to try in the first place -- so thanks (I think. )

Anything different about deflasking phrags? Any special tricks?

I think they are ready to deflask as they are reaching the top etc.
Here is a photo of the new babies. Are they ready? My plan is to transplant them to a coconut husk mix with the agar on. (Do I need to pre-wash the CH if it is supposedly pre-washed in water, not salt water?)

Any thing I should watch for during the first couple of weeks out of the flask?

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Sadie, if you read the threads about deflasking Paphs, you just do these the same way. They look *very* ready to me: roots are crawling around on the bottom, crowns have reached the top.

As far as the CHC goes, make absolutely sure to soak for several hours, rinse, soak for several hours, rinse, about four or five times before using it. Jane's trick is to zap it in the microwave to soften it and get it to absorb water faster. You're trying to not only get rid of salt, but excess tannins. You'll know when it's ready because your soak water will pour off a very light shade of tan rather than the deep red you'll notice right at first.

The first few weeks can be really touchy--make absolutely sure they don't dry out, but don't keep them soggy-sopping. Wet-dry cycles can kill them. Since you're going agar-on, mold will probably build up around the seedlings, so just be aware of that, and if it starts looking too "prolific," carefully pull and wipe it away. If you can fit enough CHC on top of the agar between and around each plant, the mold tends not to be so bad.

How exciting for you! Be sure to post pics of the compot!

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Louis J. Aszod

Would it be better to pot "agar off" to avoid the mold problem? I don't mind the little extra time and care to wash the agar off if that would help. I could also pot in spangum if that would be better -- avoiding the whole CHC tannens problem.

Agar-on is a lot easier, and in many people's opinion, less stressful for the seedlings since they're not sent into "shock" by being immediately deprived of the nutrients they've been used to. Plus, there's little to no root breakage as there inevitably is when you go to rinse the agar off, peel the seedlings apart, etc.. Only downside is the possible mold, but as long as you don't keep the seedlings too sopping wet, the agar will just eventually dry and shrivel up, and the mold will be minimal.

I've used both, CHC/bark and sphag. As long as you give yourself time to do the soak rinse thing beforehand, CHC works really well, I think.

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Louis J. Aszod

Thanks. I'll definately post pictures of my compot. I have to go start bathing CHC right now . . .

My first attempt at a compot -- I actually split it into two smaller compots. Aren't they cute Now the work begins.


I forgot to mention what they are: (Sunset Glow 'Rocket Flare' 4N x Grande 'Vista' 4N).

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Wow, that looks really nice.
It's a professional looking set-up:
clear pots, styro at the bottom, and a balanced plant density.
Good job!

I agree--that looks great! Well done. Looks like you got the excess agar off of the roots, too.

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Louis J. Aszod

Thanks guys. I followed the advice from various posts about deflasking and it all went rather smoothly. I'll watch them carefully in the next couple of weeks and in 2 years or so I'll post a picture.