Flask Busters!!!
Joe Kunisch of Bloomfield Orchids explained the way that he breaks a flask to me at the Paph Forum in D.C. a few weeks ago. I've now tried it twice and have been happy with the results. This method does not require the use of paper, hitting the bottom edge of the flask at the correct angle and with the correct force, and does not result in glass shards falling into your plants. It's quick and easy.
Joe's method employs the use of a screwdriver and a hammer. You simply stick the screwdriver through the mouth of the typical erlenmeyer flask and work the down through the plants until the tip reaches the bottom of the flask. (Phillips-head screwdrivers are preferable as you can easily avoid damaging roots.) While holding the neck of the flask, rap the screwdriver solidly with the hammer. The bottom of the flask breaks into several parts and you are left holding the upper end of the flask. I broke the last one holding the bottom of the flask barely above the table. I have not yet had pieces of glass fall into the plants or fly through the air. From here, I took the mass of plants, removed some of the agar and compotted them. See photo. This is a healthy bunch of Paph. thailandense aka callosum var. thailandense
SAFETY TIP from Slipperhead, your highly trained safety professional
Wear leather or other material handling gloves and eye protection. Wrap newspaper around the flask if you are concerned about flying glass. You never know what can happen when glass breaks!
YOUR mileage may vary. Just another idea worth discussing...
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