How to Grow Orchids Out of a Flask

Growing orchid seeds or orchid plant cuttings in clear glass flasks can speed their healthy propagation and lessen the death or damage to their delicate seedlings. Glass flask environments create a mini-greenhouse effect that orchids thrive in. Add a nutrient-rich growing medium called agar, and delicate orchid seedlings can be grown successfully for personal enjoyment or commercial growing concerns.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clear glass flask or jar
• Orchid seeds or seedlings
• Agar solution
• Long tweezers
• Funnel
• Orchid bark, potting charcoal, or planting mix
• Old towel or newspaper

Prepare the Flask

1. Sterilize your flask or glass jar in boiling water, or clean it with hot water and a mild detergent. Rinse repeatedly and thoroughly.

2. Pour the sterile agar solution into the flask so that it coats the bottom of the flask in a 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch layer, but does not splash up on the sides. A funnel can be helpful in accomplishing this.

3. Place the orchid seedling into the flask using long tweezers, thin wooden dowels or long cooking chopsticks. Ensure that the seeds or cuttings are well seated but not submerged in the agar. Place the flask in a well-lit, protected location, but not in direct sunlight.

4. Cover the flask opening with a clear lid, clear plastic bag or cellophane loosely attached, so that a greenhouse effect can form. Do not make the flask airtight; it still needs fresh air circulation.

5. Allow the seedling to grow until furry roots and long green leaves have grown. Carefully wrap the flask in an old towel or several layers of newspaper. Rap the flask on the table to break the flask apart. Carefully remove the orchid plants and place them into pots with a draining planting medium of orchid bark and charcoal bits or some other orchid mix.

Resources

• Flask-growing methods
• Orchid growers site