C. Hardyana Flask

[isurus79]

Shoot, I think I need to do an update on this thread! lol

[itzi]

I'd love to see how the little seedlings are doing!

[SADE2020]

Originally Posted by isurus79

Hi Steve,
The seedlings are doing really well! I can't say they've done anything remarkable since November, which is why I haven't done an update video. Check out the photo below. The window sill they're in gets pretty chilly, so I suspect that's the reason why they've slowed down a bit. I'll kick these guys outside in early April and drill holes in the bottom of the container and water them regularly, alongside their older Cattleya brethren.

The media I used is a cypress mix, which I've since found is not great for Cattleyas because it breaks down quickly. My friends in the South (the true South, not Austin which is closer to the Southwest) use pure cypress mulch with great success. It's cheap and breaks down slowly, if you can find it! I'll use orchiata for the Hardyana seedlings when they're large enough for a repot. I'll continue using the cypress mulch mix for my Catasetums, which love to sit in rotting wood.

Cattleya Hardyana seedlings by Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis, on Flickr

Super!!!! I want it to see how they developed.

[isurus79]

Not quite as many, but still hav plenty of bigger ones. I didn't notice the scale on these leaves until I took this photo! I'll get some neem oil on these tonight. Also, I think this media has run its course. Time to get them into small orchiata.

Cattleya Hardyana by Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis, on Flickr

[itzi]

Wow, I spot at least 8 of the larger ones! Baby orchids like that are so cute, and these are just over 2 years old if the date on that original flask is right. Not too well versed on growing from seed but it looks like they're coming along nicely

[Louis_W]

Looks like you pulled it off Steven! And with about the same number that usually comes in a mature flask to boot!

I feel like I keep brining up roy tokunagas lecture on YouTube but here I go again:

He doesn't go into detail about the process but he mentions deflasking very early to save money on replating. I think he takes them out smaller even than you had to and he has a process that ensures a high survival rate. Not sure if he published it any where but it is apparently possible.

As I said, he doesn't say much about it but here is the link again 2016 - Roy Tokunaga (Tetraploid Breeding) 6th Annual Cattleya Symposium - YouTube

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by itzi

Wow, I spot at least 8 of the larger ones! Baby orchids like that are so cute, and these are just over 2 years old if the date on that original flask is right. Not too well versed on growing from seed but it looks like they're coming along nicely

That sounds about right!

Originally Posted by Louis_W

As I said, he doesn't say much about it but here is the link again 2016 - Roy Tokunaga (Tetraploid Breeding) 6th Annual Cattleya Symposium - YouTube

That's a great lecture! I really enjoy that one.

[Mr.Fakename]

The few ones that pulled through are gonna be impossible to kill!
Such a low survival rate, it makes it easy to understand why orchid pods contain thousands and thousands of seeds.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Mr.Fakename

The few ones that pulled through are gonna be impossible to kill!
Such a low survival rate, it makes it easy to understand why orchid pods contain thousands and thousands of seeds.

Exactly!

[thefish1337]

Originally Posted by Louis_W

Looks like you pulled it off Steven! And with about the same number that usually comes in a mature flask to boot!

I feel like I keep brining up roy tokunagas lecture on YouTube but here I go again:

He doesn't go into detail about the process but he mentions deflasking very early to save money on replating. I think he takes them out smaller even than you had to and he has a process that ensures a high survival rate. Not sure if he published it any where but it is apparently possible.

As I said, he doesn't say much about it but here is the link again 2016 - Roy Tokunaga (Tetraploid Breeding) 6th Annual Cattleya Symposium - YouTube

If you have ever bought a compot from H&R you can see his method. He deflasks/'replates' into peat pots filled with promix (bx) which contains a biofungicidal strain of Bacillus amyloliquifasciens. I'm sure there are other important tech tips that are left out for specific orchids. He can keep the peat/pearlite mix very moist in his conditions while draining well and thus support smaller plants and begin their acclimation early.