What to look for to keep these seedlings alive?

[Roberta]

Watch that direct sun... a blast of sun can toast leaves in minutes, even on a mature plant (Been there, done that) These babies need indirect light only for now. There will be plenty of time to increase light gently, when they're bigger. Unless the leaves get noticeably dark green, they're getting what they need for now. One of the good things you have going for you is that with the approach of fall, sun angle will be lower and intensity reduced when you do start to introduce more light. But they grow slooowwwwly, so patience. The only plant-related hobby that takes longer to learn, and has a longer "feedback loop" to tell you that you have gotten it right is bonsai...

[orquideaborracha]

9/10/2019 - Day 15
Elaine: Still looking mostly the same. Took off bag for a couple minutes. Made corner cuts more severe instead of already cutting across top. Want to slow deflasking process. Moss was damp. Wet with water+fertilizer per instructions using dropper before replacing bag.

Kramer: Visible root tips has already grown more than from when I noticed it peeking out on 9/8. Took off bag for a couple minutes. Made corner cuts more severe instead of already cutting across top. Want to slow deflasking process. Moss was damp. Wet with water+fertilizer per instructions using dropper before replacing bag.

[IngieBee]

RE: doing something risky/difficult/low possibility of success............ I'm all for it! LOL Isn't that where the fun is? Seeing how a plant goes from seed to seedling then grow and flower? Or die... then you try again, and again... heck there are people trying to grow from seed! Why? You can buy a full plant with guaranteed pretty flowers for a LOT less than trying to make a sterile flask and grow seedlings that will most likely die.

But where is the fun in that?

I like you, @orquideaborracha let us know how it goes, eh?

BTW, looking a wee bit dry... are they getting enough water? Maybe a touch of diluted fertilizer? I water with about 1/4 of recommended fertilizer every time I water. But I'm just looking at a picture and imagining the moisture and I am still quite new so take that with a grain of salt. Also, I'll probably lower the fertilizer in the winter, depending on how actively the individual plants are growing. Good luck!

[orquideaborracha]

Day 20 (today) is the end of the prescribed deflasking process. I think I will take another week or two to continue gradually cutting away the bags slowly. Today I cut across the top of each bag.

I did notice since the last time that the moss seems to have dried out more. As the bag disappears, I need to up my check-in schedule to make sure they don't get too dry yet.

I also don't know what fertilizer or strength was included in the kit. Now that the end of the prescribed watering/fertilizing is over, I want to transition to the same weak fertilizer that I have for the rest of my orchids.

Elaine: 9/15
Still looks mostly the same? I think she might be bigger, but I should probably compare pictures to be sure. Could be my imagination. Still no new visible roots or pseudobulb.

Kramer: 9/15
New root spotted! And the one that was peeping out from the moss has grown visibly as well! The pseudobulb also still seems plump and happy. I inspected some leaf tips and edges with a loupe, and noticed some teensy tiny brown spots which may be due to the humidity dropping during deflasking. Overall he seems happy, but I will watch the moisture levels more carefully as the bags come off.

[Roberta]

Looking good! You're quite correct, you'll have to keep a close eye on hydration since they'll dry out faster. Once the new roots get going, they'll be able to handle a bit more drying out as they develop reserves. It's a fine line to walk... keep them from dessicating during the growing process but letting them experience the beginnings of the wet-dry cycle that they'll need as they grow. Sort of like a child making the transition from a little bike with training wheels to riding on two wheels by themselves to the point where they can become independent enough to ride to school or the store with traffic.

[orquideaborracha]

Not sure what day update this is, but uploading some photo progress.

Kramer is still putting out those two new little roots pretty well.
Elaine looks a little bigger, but still without visible signs like new roots or leaves.

They are going through little tiny wet/damp cycles, and I'm monitoring their little environment by smell since it doesn't quite dry out all the way yet. Kramer's little roots do get silver when it's on the drier/damp side though!

[Roberta]

Continuing to look great!

[orquideaborracha]

In happier news tonight, Kramer is still rocking along with several new leaf sprouts, baby pseudobulb, and his 2 roots going strong (which sprouted after deflasking). Elaine put out one tiny new leaf!! I was a bit worried about Elaine, but reassured after seeing some growth.

Pics from before watering. They look happier now after getting some water.