RYERSON EXPANSIBLE ORCHID FOLDER Page B. 
HOW TO USE SEED AND FLASKING EQUIPMENT 
While it would be inadvisable for the beginner to pin ALL his hopes on growing 
orchids from seed, it can be a lot of fun to plant a few flasks and watch them 
grow. And to show you how simple it is with everything prepared for you, I'm in- 
cluding the instructions you will follow when your combination Seed-and-Bottle 
Order arrives. 
First, don't delay too long before doing the flasking. All seed loses viability 
in time; some much more rapidly than others. The fresher the seed the better. 
But if it is inconvenient to flask immediately, store the seed in the refrigerator, 
but not where it will become wet or be in danger of freezing. 
IMPORTANT WARNING ! Do not allow anyone to loosen the stoppers on the agar bot- 
tles! If air enters, so will mold, and if mold grows in there, the seed won't! 
PREPARING YOUR LABORATORY. If you do not have a glass-topped flasking case, use 
the cleanest, least drafty room (such as the bathroom) where everything - includ- 
ing the air - can be washed free of mold spores. To wash the air, fill the bath- 
room with steam and let it settle. Mold spores will settle also, and if no air 
movements stir them up, will "stay put". 
Use 10% Clorox solution for washing work table, rubber gloves, bottles, glass or 
cup, and anything else you will be handling. 
l. Empty seed packet into bottle #1. Recap bottle and shake 3 to 5 minutes. If 
viability is low, and seed does not tend to pack in bunches in the disinfectant, 
three minutes will give you better results than five. Spread the filter funnel 
in small sterile glass (such as orange juice class; this item YOU provide) and 
empty contents of bottle #1 in apex of funnel. Let disinfectant all drain away. 
2. Draw dropperful of distilled water from bottle #2 and wash seed back into 
bottle #1. Repeat with more water. For 2-flask packet, two droppersful should 
be sufficient. For l-flask packet, add more distilled water to supply sufficient 
liquid for sowing all ten flasks. 
3. Remove stopper from flask to be planted. If agar looks dry, add a dropperful 
of distilled water before planting seed. Use dropper as pump to distribute seed 
evenly through distilled water by working rubber bulb. Then squirt a dropperful 
of seed and water on the surface of the agar. Try to leave enough for the other 
bottle or bottles, distributing seed evenly in each flask. Twist sterile stopper 
in flask. 
4. Repeat for each flask being sown. If two or more seed crosses are sown ata 
sitting, be careful to use fresh equipment for each new cross. Label flasks in 
advance so they will not become mixed. Cover cotton stopper with cellophane. 
5. Place planted flasks levelly in Orchidarium or greenhouse, where they will 
receive plenty of light. Early morning sun will not hurt them. If you pick them 
up to examine them, hold flask level, or liquid will wash seeds up sides. 
A small spot of mold can be removed under sterile conditions, or can be killed by 
BOILING the spot over the flame of a candle or alcohol lamp. Do not let the hot 
melted agar wash over the other seedlings or it will kill them. 
