Tissue culture deflasking & acclimation instructions
Please feel free to use our recommended instructions whether you buy from us or somewhere else!
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- Clean all surfaces
- Spray tools with rubbing alcohol
- Wash hands / Gloves recommended
We highly recommend using distilled water for your final rinse, dampening substrate and watering through the entire acclimation process (we choose to use distilled water on all our plantlets until they are 6 months old).
Pre-deflasking (optional). Place your bagged TC’s in the environment (temp and lights) they will be acclimating in for 48 hours prior to deflasking to acclimate them to your setup.
- Gently remove plant from bag and remove ALL agar gel (may be liquid or solid) from plant. Do this by rinsing your plant under running water or in a bowl. A small paint brush is useful for cleaning around delicate roots. Remove any dead, melted, or unhealthy looking leaves and roots during this step.
- Place plant in a bowl of water with a few drops of povidone-iodine solution, hydrogen peroxide or fungicide of your choice mixed in (we prefer povidone-iodine which is included in our acclimation kits). Soak in premixed solution for 5-10 minutes while you prepare your pot with pre-dampened (but not soggy) substrate.
- Rinse plant with distilled water in a bowl or with a wash bottle (included in our acclimation pro kits).
- (Optional) Dip roots in a growth hormone powder or sprinkle powder into your substrate around the plant’s roots. Growth hormone powder is included in our acclimation pro kits.
- Gently pot plant in your substrate of your choice. Ask us about our recommended substrate based on plant type and setup (self watering or not). Note: We do NOT recommend self watering pots for TC’s except when specifically desired for Alocasias, but then only when they are planted in 50/50 fluval perlite blend or in our “small premium alocasia substrate for self watering pots” or equivalent blend.
- Provide 100% humidity in the form of a secondary domed cup or humidity box. We recommend using a small secondary domed cup or humidity box even with ventilated domed pots as humidity can still be lost through bottom drainage holes and imperfect seals in adjustable ventilated tops.
DO NOT OPEN FOR 1 WEEK!
- After the first week start to slowly acclimate your plant to your desired environment over at least 1 month (we recommend 2 months for this process when possible). Starting the 2nd week this can be done by “burping” lids 1x/day, removing domed pots from their secondary humidity container, or leaving ventilated dome pots in a larger humidity container but opening vents. During the following weeks water lightly only as needed. Ventilated domed pots can slowly be opened to more fresh air over time.
Tips
- Remove agar from roots completelyLeftover media can encourage microbial growth and root rot
- Gradually reduce humidity instead of opening lids immediatelySudden humidity drops can shock plants and cause rapid wilting
- Increase airflow slowly over timeGentle airflow helps strengthen stomatal function and reduces fungal problems
- Use airy substrates instead of dense soil mixesMedium like coco chips, perlite, sphagnum moss, or peat-perlite blends helps roots access oxygen more easily
- Avoid overwatering, especially in the beginningNewly acclimated plantlets have weak transpiration control and can rot easily in constantly wet media
- Maintain consistent temperatureTemperature fluctuations can stress cultures and reduce growth rates significantly
- Use transparent humidity covers with small adjustable ventilation openingsThis allows a gradual environmental transition instead of sudden exposure
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