Total newbie, new orchid - Page 2 - Orchid Board

Frank_TS · #11 02-26-2012, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Discus

With a seedling just out of flask, I suspect daily misting of the roots (until they turn white) is going to be a good idea - they're used to always having moisture and humidity, and the mix you have that plant in doesn't keep a lot of moisture around.

How many times a day should it be misted? The roots are already white, but that happened just 12 hours after I took it out of the flask. Previously they were green, the same color of the leaves.

About humidity, how much is too much? should I periodically remove the plastic cover to help it slowly acclimatize to outside conditions?

Discus · #12 02-26-2012, 04:38 PM

The white layer on the roots is called "velamen"; when you water the plant it should turn green (basically it goes transparent and you can see the green root tissue underneath).

As to how often, when the plant needs it; this is dependent on a lot of factors. I've only ever de-flasked 2 flasks (of cattleya hybrids) - one lot I lost completely, and the other did OK - I suspect the ones I lost were kept too damp (potted in nearly 100% sphagnum); the others were about 50/50 sphagnum and bark. Probably once a day should be ample - essentially, if it's been a day and it's white, mist the roots until they go green, then wait a day and so on. Neither had fungicide or other treatments.

I'd probably wait a couple of weeks after taking it out of the flask before "acclimating" it to the outside conditions, either by opening the cover more, or punching more holes in it; it's enough of a trauma to take the roots out of the gel without also subjecting the rest of the plant to really dry air. As long as it can "breathe" and the air isn't totally stagnant for too long, things should be fine.

If it does seem to be drying out too fast/too much (shrivelling leaves) put some spagnum near the roots to keep the hydrated for longer.

Hope this helps!

Frank_TS · #13 02-27-2012, 12:32 PM

Thanks for your reply! I am really learning a lot here.

Today the orchid doesn't seem as fine as yesterday... One of the largest leaves is getting paler.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Discus

The white layer on the roots is called "velamen"; when you water the plant it should turn green (basically it goes transparent and you can see the green root tissue underneath).

As to how often, when the plant needs it; this is dependent on a lot of factors. I've only ever de-flasked 2 flasks (of cattleya hybrids) - one lot I lost completely, and the other did OK - I suspect the ones I lost were kept too damp (potted in nearly 100% sphagnum); the others were about 50/50 sphagnum and bark. Probably once a day should be ample - essentially, if it's been a day and it's white, mist the roots until they go green, then wait a day and so on. Neither had fungicide or other treatments.

That is very interesting. The roots were dry this morning and I watered the plant profusely (maybe 10 teaspoons purified water) until the roots turned a little bit green. I will try to post some pictures later. The excess water drained quickly through the holes at the bottom of the pot.

I don't know if the mix the plant is potted in is 100% sphagnum or a mixture of sphagnum and bark. Can we tell by the pics?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Discus

If it does seem to be drying out too fast/too much (shrivelling leaves) put some spagnum near the roots to keep the hydrated for longer.

This I did immediately, because it seems to dry out really fast (the whitish color returns in a few hours). I placed a small piece of substrate atop the main body of roots, very gently and leaving some space for air. I hope this helps and the plant stays hydrated.

At the moment it is outside, protected from direct sun and covered with a clear plastic. At noon there is a lot of condensation inside.

These plants surely require some fine tuning!

Discus · #14 02-27-2012, 01:15 PM

To me, that mix looks almost entirely bark-based. If you want to see what dry (dead) sphagnum looks like, take a look here: using sphagnum moss for growing orchids

What you'll find is once the plant is a bit older, it will be a lot less fussy - orchids just out of flask are a bit like newborn kids in that they're extremely delicate and need a lot of cosseting!

If you're struggling to get the roots to turn green again, try what I consider the "vanda trick" - water them once, wait 10-20 minutes, do it again. The first "pre soak" helps the water to start penetrating the somewhat hard to wet velamen, and the second watering really gets some moisture into the plant.

In any case, as long as the leaves aren't shrivelling up and drying (or getting mouldy/fungused) you're doing a good job. Orchid seedlings are generally very slow growing, so don't expect a giant plant in no time at all.

---------- Post added at 07:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:15 PM ----------

Incidentally, you may find it easier to water that plant using a misting/spray bottle, which is how I water pretty much all my bare root plants.

Frank_TS · #15 02-27-2012, 04:17 PM

Hey! It worked!

That "vanda trick" alone might be responsible, or maybe the terrarium-bright shade-outdoors combo, but the orchid now looks much healthier. The roots are green again! ...now the leaves are not that green anymore, but I hope this first step in the right direction saves the plant. I am truly impressed; it took 5 days for two leaves to wither and die, but only 4 hours to bring the roots back to life.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Discus

To me, that mix looks almost entirely bark-based. If you want to see what dry (dead) sphagnum looks like, take a look here: using sphagnum moss for growing orchids

It certainly looks 100% bark. I bought that as "orchid special mix" at the Home Depot. The bag says it's all that it needs. Looking closely it appears to have traces of dry sphagnum. (does it feel like sawdust?) It was the only product for orchids, and the only other product I found that mentioned sphagnum (canadian peat moss) was a huge 30lb bag for "general gardening". Should I keep looking elsewhere and buy some sphagnum?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Discus

In any case, as long as the leaves aren't shrivelling up and drying (or getting mouldy/fungused) you're doing a good job. Orchid seedlings are generally very slow growing, so don't expect a giant plant in no time at all.

The leaves are not shrivelling but one is getting paler. Not yet yellow, brown or dead.

For what I can see, there are no signs of fungus.

Thanks again!

Frank_TS · #16 03-03-2012, 03:30 PM

Ok, I've followed your kind directions and here I have a new set of pictures.

These were taken today. I cut the dead leaves with clean scissors.

As you can see, the remaining tiny leaves are slowly growing, and the roots are green. They are kept this way by generous watering (4-6 times a day) until the roots become green again. This causes the surrounding substrate to remain permanently wet.

Am I doing this correctly?

Connie Star · #17 03-04-2012, 10:18 PM

Welcome to OB.
The plant looks so tiny compared to the pieces of bark. You can order moss on-line, although I gather you are in Mexico? Not sure if it would get shipped there.
Orchid Media from rePotme.com
Orchid Mix, Potting Soil, Growing Mediums, Organic Orchid Mix
You should try to get New Zealand Spagnum. I'm not sure about peat moss, particularly whether the pH is right.
A word of encouragement- I bought a flask of orchids (C dowiana) in Costa Rica 2 years ago, deflasked them after about 4 months (with lots of advice from OBers) and they are growing nicely.

Frank_TS · #18 03-05-2012, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Connie Star

Welcome to OB.
The plant looks so tiny compared to the pieces of bark. You can order moss on-line, although I gather you are in Mexico? Not sure if it would get shipped there.

Thank you!

Indeed, it is difficult to find some gardening supplies around here. I have found that most so-called "gardeners" are merely plant traders; not specialists but mostly plant lovers with some empirical knowledge and agricultural experience. Even though Mexico has some of the most beautiful orchid specimens, few people really take it seriously.

I believe they can ship internationally, the problem would be the shipping and handling costs (sometimes it doubles the price).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Connie Star

A word of encouragement- I bought a flask of orchids (C dowiana) in Costa Rica 2 years ago, deflasked them after about 4 months (with lots of advice from OBers) and they are growing nicely.

Good to hear that! The main issue it seems to be to replicate the proper environment for the plant to grow comfortably. M. Christinae is accustomed to some really specific area in Yucatán.

Anyway, I do need lots of advice too!

Here are some pics, taken today, of the orchid with a 5-cent coin for size reference.

Wireman · #19 03-07-2012, 10:36 PM

I have never heard of this genus, but the flower looks incredible! It's related to Schomburgkia, so it is going to become a massive plant. Good luck with it.

glengary54 · #20 03-07-2012, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wireman

I have never heard of this genus, but the flower looks incredible! It's related to Schomburgkia, so it is going to become a massive plant. Good luck with it.

Wireman - Schomburgkias were split into two groups, the hollow bulb species became Myrmecophila and the rest staying Schomburgkias for a short while, then they were moved and became Laelias and then moved again to become Cattleyas. Is your head spinning yet? I hate taxonomists!!!!!!!