Orchid Flasks

Orchids are unlike most plants in that their seed contains only an embryo with no source of stored nutrients. In nature the seeds must land in a spot colonized by a symbiotic fungus in order to germinate, the fungus feeds the embryo and later exchanges nutrients with the mature plant. In cultivation orchid seed is sown on a sterile nutrient gel, this allows a greater percentage of seeds to germinate and the seedlings grow rapidly with a constant source of nutrition and no competition from bacteria or other microorganisms. 

Removing seedlings from their flask and acclimating them to normal growing conditions is a delicate but rewarding process for patient growers who wish to grow their collection on a budget or bloom out large numbers of plants in search of award quality flowers.