did something INSANE ordered a flask of chids....

[kindrag23]

Okay lets start with the whole WTH was I THINKING!!!
Then lets go with do I have any idea what I am doing? NOO
Then lets now go with I have fabulous people on the OB who can possibly help me with my ummm insanity..

How do I deal with these guys the cross are:
Orchid Flask C. aclandiae X Schomb. christinae Spectacular cross.

Here are the instructions given to me...is this accurate enough....

Plants should be removed from flasks immediately. Shipping will
cause scrambling of the plants and the agar, which can burn the
plants if not removed from the flask immediately. Also
contamination can occur that will kill the plants.

Carefully break flask or remove plants roots first with tweezers or
with a wire hook.
Wash plants with plain water to remove all agar.
Leave clumps together and plant as one - can be separated later-
smaller plants will usually die if separated from clump.
Pot large plants individually in 2 or 3" pots, pot smaller plants in a
community pot or in a tray.
Use sphagnum or seedling mix with good drainage.
Water plants thoroughly after planting to clean medium.
Then spray pots, medium and plants with a fungicide/bactericide.
Resume normal watering - once a day or every other day.
Fertilize every two weeks with a water soluble balanced fertilizer.
Repeat spraying with fungicide/bactericide every 3-4 weeks.
Plants should be kept in 75-80 % shade with high humidity.


ANY extra advise will be appreciated!!!

[kindrag23]

..

[nikkik]

My advice would be to NOT spray with fungicide/bactericide right after deflasking. I've heard agruements for why you should and why you shouldn't, but based off my personal experience with 4 flasks, the seedlings that weren't sprayed right away are growing much more vigrously then the ones that were.

[kindrag23]

okay new I would get great added info on here!!

What is agar? Should I wear protective gloves?

[nikkik]

Agar is what is used to provide nutrients for the seedlings. I didn't wear gloves because there isn't anything harmful in it.

[kindrag23]

okay, just reading through could hurt plants so was wondering what it was.

[Bill U.]

Agar is a jelly-like substance that is used as the growth medium for seedlings. This is not harmful to humans (just make sure that you wash your hands after handling before you eat or rub your eyes- could cause some irritation there, but nothing too major). The reason it could hurt the plants is that it can suffocate them by covering all of their stomata (the plant's "breathing" holes), causing the plant to not be able to photosynthesize and promptly die.

[kindrag23]

ah okay thanks, will go ahead and use gloves. I slightly fear I am allergic to one of my new orchids....One brushed up against me and I broke out in a rash/blisters on my fore arm.....finally just now starting to go away......unfortunately not sure which one it is....i got seven that day.......

[TOMMYMIAMI]

I just must say Kindrag Good Luck, this is the field I am not going to, too small, to scary, to much care:-) I hope you will have success, keep us posted:-)

[kindrag23]

@TommyMiami I will this shall be interesting...