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Deflasking very VERY old seedlings

Discussion in 'Issues, Disease and Pests' started by Fiona, Dec 4, 2008.

  1. Dec 4, 2008 #1
    Fiona

    Fiona New Member

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    When cleaning out the back room I came across 3 flasks....now if I'm brutally honest I can admit that I've not bought flasks in well over 5 years.... :eek:

    I was in the process of throwing them away when I noticed that there were live seedlings in each flask (ok there were dead ones as well but there were several live ones still in there) ....

    Now I've not done the whole deflasking thing successfully before but I figure these are now super dooper genetically modified orchids that will survive a nucleur blast so maybe I have a chance and getting them to grow ....

    What should I do? is there anything special I should do especially due to the long time they have been in flasks? or if I open the bottle are they going to crumble into dust ....

    :confused:
     
  2. Dec 4, 2008 #2
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    Having unintentionally attempted such "delay tactics" myself, I can comfortably say that the only significant difference I perceive between your scenario and the preferred (prompt) deflasking is the fact that the root systems will be far more entangled.

    My preference is to break the flask and remove the agar by dissolving/breaking it up under a spray stream of lukewarm water in the kitchen sink, and then "tease" the puppies apart, taking the time to minimize the damage.

    The fact that there have been some seedling fatalities in-vitro will probably make the process a little easier.
     
  3. Dec 24, 2008 #3
    Doc Elly

    Doc Elly Member

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    What Ray says. If the seedlings are alive, they can be deflasked and grown on. Five years! Maybe they're bonsai orchids by now.