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Shelf-life for prepared growing flasks?

Discussion in 'General Chat' started by allouicious, Jul 25, 2016.

  1. Jul 25, 2016 #1
    allouicious

    allouicious New Member

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    Hello all,

    I'm new to the forum. I recently got the bug to try to start hybridizing and growing orchids from seed. I could outsource the process to a lab that specializes in the process, but I thought I might try to save some money and do it myself.

    I've found a few methods for preparing flasks/jars for germination and replating (using Agar or Gelatin), but I was curious, how long can prepared flasks be stored? As long as the flasks remain unopened and sterile, what is the anticipated shelf-life? Or should they be used within a certain amount of time to maintain potency? Does the medium break down after too long? If they can be stored for an extended period of time, it might make more sense to produce a large quantity of growing medium at once and prep the flasks en masse and store them for seed sowing at a later time.
     
  2. Jul 25, 2016 #2
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    I usually use it in 3 to 6 months. Probably best to use within 1 year. Depending on your container, the medium can dry out. If I start to see that the level of the medium is below what it was when poured (usually there is an old level adhered to the side) then I won't use it for sensitive plants as it is more concentrated.
     
    harquinn1 and annabanana1987 like this.
  3. Jul 29, 2016 #3
    justinjames

    justinjames New Member

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    Don't know if this helps, I used to culture yeast for brewing and once the slants were autoclaved they could last a very long time frozen. I can't think of much that could break down in auger, properly frozen and sterilized.
     
    annabanana1987 likes this.