Help with deflasking

[escualida]

I'll PM them, thanks!

[Movnhorses]

I have a quick questions... Are they all the same color and type of orchid or do they give you mix of their orchid crop?
Oh and by the way they are the absolutely adorable!

[escualida]

It's all one type of orchid: Blc. Mem. Vida Lee 'Limelight'

Yeah they're cute, just hope they all make it I still am going to have to have a lot of patience because it'll be a while before they're ready to flower.

[escualida]

So I need some advice here:

It's been about 2 weeks since deflasking and the seedlings are all doing well, they're all still alive as far as I can see. I've been taking the dome off for increasing amounts of time the past few days and they seem good with it, I've also been misting them every day because they've been drying out pretty quickly because of the fan.

I'm going away for 6 days next week and have no idea how to make sure they'll be ok. Does anyone have any advice on how to keep them safe for a week until I come back? I don't have anyone that can check in on them during that time.

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[greengarden]

I always run a test in the few weeks before I go anywhere. I don't water and watch the plants and see how long I can push them before I start to get worried. If they can do well for 6 days this week with supervision to water if necessary then you'll be fine next week...

Given they are recently deflasked I would leave the cover over them during that time to keep the moisture in the substrate.

[escualida]

I leave in 4 days though. I'll see if I can do that in the time I have left

[Stray59]

Adriana:
Just wanted to let you know that I have revised my approach to de-flasking somewhat. I have immediately de-flasked and I have waited a few days - of the two, I now prefer to wait a few days, as hard as this is at times.
The last flask I planted up was a Hawkinsara hybrid. It looked like someone had thrown it against the wall a time or two before it arrived. Many of the plants were pretty badly bruised. I decided it was in a more sterile environment in the flask and as I was leaving town for a few days, it was probably 14 days after receipt that I finally de-flasked.
They turned out great. As I was able to lay the bottle on it's side with the agar resting downward, all the plants pulled upward, straightening themselves out and I only lost a few leaves on some of them. Overall, I would say I lost maybe 6-8 of the smallest that could not pull above the shooken-up media, but all the ones that were able to be removed in one piece have survived.
Thus, I have not de-flasked the Vida Lee's yet; whereas they arrived in much better shape, some were laying over and looked broken. They have pulled up and now look great - they are to come out in a day or so.
So glad to hear you are doing well with your little ones.
How's the BL. Yellow Bird and Epi. radicans?

Happy Holidays and safe travels -
Steve

[escualida]

Hi Steve, that all makes a lot of sense and I'm glad the Vidas are doing well, I'd like to see pics after you deflask, maybe you could share your methods with us as well.

All the plants you sent me are doing really well, thanks again for agreeing to trade

[Stray59]

esculida:
Yes, my nursery is doing well; in fact it is about full! I have had about 98% survival rate overall, since the first two flasks had almost complete die off - fewer than 1 dozen alive.
So far I have about 250 in compots; 1/2 of them are SLC. Final Touch 'Mendenhal' AM/AOS and 1/2 are Hawkinsara Koolua Sunset X Self. Then there is the flask of Vida's yet to be laid out. I have enough room in my 'incubator' to add about one more flask and then I will have to wait a month or two before I move some out onto their own.
What happens to them once they are out of the inc' is currently a mystery, but I will find somewhere to put another 500-600 plants - yeah sure!
Well, as you can see, there is some marketing in my future.
Will post some pics when Christmas is over - am in somewhat of a Holiday Whirl this week, but want to take some photos early next year. I can;t believe it is almost "early next year" already!
Have a wonderful Holiday - I hope Santa leaves you a nice little Christmas Orc (just got mine - C. Marjorie Hausermann!!)
My best,
Steve