Flasks (Project 15 - Spring 2013)

[ALToronto]

Thanks!

So what do people do with the tiny runts? I just scattered them on top of the sphagnum in the pots. What are the chances that they will survive and grow?

I guess some of the more experienced growers would cook up some agar and replate them, but I don't have the materials or the knowledge to do that. Survival of the fittest, I guess.

Forgot to mention in my earlier post - I lightly sprayed the compots with a sulphur-based fungicide just before I put the lid on them. I hope I didn't do any damage this way; I wiped any drops off the leaves.

[Rowangreen]

I think there's no harm giving the runts a go if you can be bothered. I have two that are dwarfed by my little finger nail but they are both growing new leaves so who knows? Maybe one will turn out to be a highly valuable dwarf ambionensis!

[Island Girl]

Originally Posted by Rowangreen

I think there's no harm giving the runts a go if you can be bothered. I have two that are dwarfed by my little finger nail but they are both growing new leaves so who knows? Maybe one will turn out to be a highly valuable dwarf ambionensis!

^I like that - "a highly valuable dwarf amboinensis!" I have done the same w/ my tiny runts, + one little protocorm-ey thing, (had one leaf, & one root to start with) that has also put out a new leaf

Al, those are looking great! Good job!

Update on mine - they are moving along nicely, growing new leaves... Haven't noticed any root growth yet, but it's hard to tell when the roots are usually green, so it's possible I've only lost one seedling so far, but it kinda became a test subject. But the rest are doing great! I've been using this beneficial fungi product called "Root Shield" on them, seems like it's working beautifully, no rot, or mold! I am liking Root Shield a lot, and on my adult plants too... And no, I don't sell this stuff, or have anything invested in it! Lol

[ALToronto]

So next question - when to start fertilizing, and with what?

Right now they're in lightly damp sphagnum, with traces of flask agar on their roots. At first, I was going to use a tiny bit of RO water with some KelpMax, nothing else. Is there anything wrong with this approach, or should I start fertilizing right away? And what should be the N dosage for these seedlings?

[Island Girl]

Not sure what the N dosage is supposed to be... but I did mine @ 30ppm. I've heard to start fert. after they've been out of flask for a month.

When I deflasked, I had soaked my sphag in KelpMax (with RO, and a tiny bit of Fish/Seaweed fert 2-3-1) for a few hrs, after I had sterilized the moss, & before I potted the seedlings up. I also had KelpMax in the (RO & Fertilizer) water, when I fertilized them at the 4 week mark (with MSU fert. @ 30 ppm).

When I started them out, it was with the Neptune's Harvest Fish & Seaweed fertilizer 2-3-1, so the dosage was probably like 2-6ppm, it was such a small amount... But I'd have to look at the bowl I soaked them in, and how many drops I put in to really guess, but it wasn't much. At absolute most, it might have been 10ppm?

Edit: it was 8ppm^ (The amount I soaked their sphag in when I deflasked)

[ALToronto]

Both my flasks are now in compots in their respective Lee Valley terrariums, under domes. With the second flask, Princess Kaiulani x Bellina, I soaked the sphagnum in water with both KelpMax and K-Lite fertilizer added.

The first flask, for which I used only KelpMax, is showing some mold on some of the plants. The second is completely mold-free, so far, but then again, it is 5 days younger. I sprayed the first one with a sulfur fungicide.

So when should I start fertilizing, and when do I remove the dome? So far, the first flask has all four vent holes at the top fully open, and I've slid it off the tray by about 1" (25 mm). The second has the vents open but the lid is fully on.

[Rowangreen]

I have a humidity meter in my propogator, and I find having the vents open doesn't actually seem to reduce the humidity much, though I guess that will depend on the set up. Personally I start from the 2nd week or so leaving the top off for short periods, starting for 15-20 minutes and working up to all evening. Seems to have worked so far for me.

[ALToronto]

Rowan, what's the humidity outside of your propagators? Here in Toronto, we're having a really wet, hot summer, and so far, I've been winning the fights with my husband over air conditioning (I don't like it).

Right now, humidity in my house is 80-85% and temperature is 25-26 degrees. Inside the mini terrariums it's 95% and 26 deg. No heating mats. So with these conditions, would the seedlings need any adjustment period at all, or can I take off the lids and let them enjoy some air movement?

Also, I've noticed some green/grey fuzzies on areas where I didn't wash off all the agar. The fuzzies don't seem to spread, and I've cleaned off as much as I could with my fingers. Should I take the trouble to wash them off completely, rinse with peroxide or leave them alone?

[Rowangreen]

Bearing in mind I am a newbie to growing orchids generally...

I haven't had a humidity meter set up in the kitchen for a while, but I think it runs about 60-70 in there. I don't know about what the 'cut off' is when it comes to adapting. I don't think it will do any harm to play it safe.

Both lots of flasklings I've had I've had a bit of fungus growth. I've left them alone completely and alls gone well. I think if it's not spreading, don't fuss them. Totally contradicting what I said above... drying them out a bit might discourage the mold. Hopefully as you carry on 'weaning' them it should sort itself out.

[bballr4567]

Well, my Phal Buena Jewel x Dragon Tree Eagle has taken a turn for the worst. Two of the seedlings have their leaves turn yellow over two days and I fairly certain one is dead. I havent done anything different so not sure what the deal is. The other three still look quite healthy.