Flask Busters!!!

[Slipperhead]

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...

[LJA]

Good tip (and a very nice handful) you got there! I'll have to try that since, even though I wrap the flask in a towel, I've always got glass flying every which way when using the Louis Aszod of River Valley Orchidworks "Smash flask with hammer" method....

Say thanks to Joe!

[MikeWA]

I always used to use econo size tweezers nd yank them out since the beakers/flasks(whatever you call them) had a $5 deposit.

Another way, if you have to break them, is breaking the glass in water as the glass sinks and projectile into your eye.

[Gin]

Thanks for the tip , I was using the Louis method lolol , nice bunch of kids you have there . Gin

[Slipperhead]

Looks like Antec uses a similar method. They are using a heavier pointed "driftpin" (rod) instead of a screwdriver! Nice photos here also!

http://www.ladyslipper.com/compot2.html

[SteveT]

I just fill mine with distilled water, then use a hammer and crack out the bottom of the flask. The water takes care of holding the plants in place pretty well and keeps glass from shattering into the plants and agar.