Flasks (Project 15 - Spring 2013)

[Island Girl]

Originally Posted by Call_Me_Bob

We've had this debate on the forums before, I personally am totally against root pruning! Especially in plants this size, they need all the roots they can get! Sometimes they can live without a few roots, but they'll live better with all of them [COLOR="Silver"]

Thanks Call Me Bob! That's kinda what I was thinking! But I've never severely pruned roots to begin with, so I wasn't too sure about that!

What type of orchid did u get in your flask(s?) I noticed that u were splitting a phal bellina flask w/ shadytrake, but are u getting anything else in addition to that? No peer pressure here on OB what-so-ever heh heh heh....

[Rowangreen]

I'm back! Besides lots of coursework to finish off I had a course residential weekend: really good, but came back a bit ill so had an extra day keeping my head down. LOL

That about root pruning is interesting. A lot of mine had total monster roots compared to leaves, so they will be a test case for what happens if they are left on I guess! My instinct is leave them on if they are healthy, but I think maybe it would depend a bit on genus? The deflasking I did in October all the plants (except really the phals!) have produced roots that are visibly different to the ones in flask, though on the whole the old roots seem healthy and functional. I think a good few of the roots that were on the paphs when they came out have died off (I repotted those the same time I deflasked this lot of phals) though I think that may be partly due to some root damage in flask: they got chilled at one point. I guess if some plants do tend to lose their in-flask roots then it might be better to reduce the ones there rotting? Don't know though!

---------- Post added at 05:01 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:00 AM ----------

PS: really will start putting pics up soon... everything still alive after a week out of flask!

[orchidsarefun]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

Ok, so in all my research for information on deflasking, I came across this thread on OB tonite, that's from a couple years ago, where the OP trims ALOT of roots off the flask babies before potting them up, (I'm talking a big stack of roots that is equal to the total amount of plant material -leaves & roots combined- thats leftover when the OP is done trimming) and the OP's babies seem to grow good after deflasking, even after a couple months. But is this actually a good thing to do? Has anyone heard/thought about doing this? Trimming half the roots off baby orchids that just came out of the flask seems risky to me... But maybe it's just me? Idk

See the thread/picture I'm talking about: it's the 14th pic down
Cuda's Deflasking...

I researched all Cuda's postings and was impressed with how this method turned out. Its a pity that postings stopped - otherwise we could ask about the root trimming idea. I couldn't find anything else online about it. Also noticed that NO sphagnum moss was used for seedlings. I think I am going to try it ..
Another article I read said that if any fungus develops, do not spray with a fungicide as that inhibits growth. Just adjust watering and aeration. Also something I will try as one of my seedlings has a white fungus.....

[Island Girl]

Originally Posted by Rowangreen

I'm back! Besides lots of coursework to finish off I had a course residential weekend: really good, but came back a bit ill so had an extra day keeping my head down. LOL

That about root pruning is interesting. A lot of mine had total monster roots compared to leaves, so they will be a test case for what happens if they are left on I guess! My instinct is leave them on if they are healthy, but I think maybe it would depend a bit on genus? The deflasking I did in October all the plants (except really the phals!) have produced roots that are visibly different to the ones in flask, though on the whole the old roots seem healthy and functional. I think a good few of the roots that were on the paphs when they came out have died off (I repotted those the same time I deflasked this lot of phals) though I think that may be partly due to some root damage in flask: they got chilled at one point. I guess if some plants do tend to lose their in-flask roots then it might be better to reduce the ones there rotting? Don't know though!

---------- Post added at 05:01 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:00 AM ----------

PS: really will start putting pics up soon... everything still alive after a week out of flask!

Ooh, Number 1: I Can't wait to see pics of all your new babies!! yay!

That will be interesting to see how ur seedlings with the large root systems do compared to hers!

Oh, speaking of not being able to wait... Lol my flasks should be arriving today! Is it a sign of addiction if I couldn't sleep last nite 'cuz I knew they were coming today?

I hope u get to feeling better soon! Just take it easy, cuz theres nothing like doing a whole bunch of crap to make the cold/flu worse!

[zxyqu]

With regards to the root trimmings, I really think that is a poor idea unless you have superb conditions or seedlings. One thing I have learned is that root systems on flasklings dictate quite well how they will do once potted up. It's enough of an indicator that a plant with only 1 or 2 or even no good roots goes back in a replate flask.

Anyway, good luck to all you with your seedlings. This is a fun idea for a project and provides some really valuable lessons in patience and pride. And I say that as someone who still hasn't bloomed a flask yet, but you feel great seeing how well these grown!

[Island Girl]

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

I researched all Cuda's postings and was impressed with how this method turned out. Its a pity that postings stopped - otherwise we could ask about the root trimming idea. I couldn't find anything else online about it. Also noticed that NO sphagnum moss was used for seedlings. I think I am going to try it ..
Another article I read said that if any fungus develops, do not spray with a fungicide as that inhibits growth. Just adjust watering and aeration. Also something I will try as one of my seedlings has a white fungus.....

Yea, it really is too bad the postings stopped, cuz I'm curious about this idea too, I've heard of it with adult orchids (in that it can be beneficial - I would assume that that would depend on the right time of year as well, but idk) I've never done any root pruning on adult, hardened plants, much less delicate seedlings and I think my flasklings will prob need all the roots they can get! As I'm still somewhat new to caring for flasklings Lol But if u kno what ur doing, I would love to kno the results... I definitely wish u the best of luck! I think it's an interesting idea for sure... I'm just too chicken to do it this time around... If ever Lol

As for not treating fungal growth on flasklings with fungicides, I also read a couple articles that suggested that as well, and I'd be curious to kno how that works for u too... If it comes up on a couple of my flasklings, I will certainly test this theory, but, I have to say, if the majority of my seedlings have a fungus, (heaven forbid ) I would prob treat with a fungicide just b/c I am new-ish to caring for flasklings, & I wanna keep as many alive as possible! Lol My guess (a not-very-scientific guess) is that its like a child's immune system, if they live in a sterile bubble. And then one day they go outside of the bubble, & get exposed to say, the common flu, & b/c they have no immunity built up against it, they could potentially die from it... Yet, children who are exposed to it (the flu) all their lives are only slowed down for a day or two, and pop right back once their body's immune system finishes fighting it off

*I think I have the link to prob at least one of the articles that talks about what u are referring to, about the use of fungicides on flasklings, & how they may stunt their growth... I will look, and post it... Might take a little while to find it... over the past couple days I've been compiling a list of Deflasking info, some good, some bad (learn from others mistakes), and some, like the link I posted about the root pruning, that have no updates... So u can't be sure if it's good or bad.... If y'all r interested, I can post them all, there's prob 10 links or more ~give or take~

Wow, I can ramble! Sorry y'all!

[Island Girl]

Does anyone know how big Phals need to be before deflasking? 2 inches is what I heard on catts and the like, I believe that's correct... Is it the same for Phals?

[escualida]

Well I just got the replacement flask from Carmela aaaaaaand it's of a cross that I already have plugs from. I bought them from their eBay store months ago. So needless to say I'm not all too happy right now. I asked her to send me a list of the ones she had exactly so this wouldn't happen but noooooo. So I emailed her back asking to return it for a refund and we'll see what she says.

I decided to order a different one from Big Leaf Orchids instead which should probably come next week. *sigh*

Edit:

I just heard back and I'm getting a refund but they don't want the flask back, does anybody want it for their project? I'm willing to sell or trade. The cross is Dtps. Minho Princess x Phal.(New Cinderella x Dtps. Sun Princess)

PM me if you're interested. They all look big and healthy.

[JaneEyre]

My flask arrived today
I bought a same one as Shadytrake: Phal. violacea 'Magnificent' x Phal. lueddemanniana 'Woodland' from Orchidview.
I wasn't sure when it was going to arrive, so it was a happy surprise, waiting for me at the door after I came home from work.



I am hoping for gorgeous blooms down the road, but for now I have a lot of work ahead of me. I will be deflasking tomorrow and will post pictures of the progress.

[JaneEyre]

Originally Posted by escualida

Well I just got the replacement flask from Carmela aaaaaaand it's of a cross that I already have plugs from. I bought them from their eBay store months ago. So needless to say I'm not all too happy right now. I asked her to send me a list of the ones she had exactly so this wouldn't happen but noooooo. So I emailed her back asking to return it for a refund and we'll see what she says.

I decided to order a different one from Big Leaf Orchids instead which should probably come next week. *sigh*

Edit:

I just heard back and I'm getting a refund but they don't want the flask back, does anybody want it for their project? I'm willing to sell or trade. The cross is Dtps. Minho Princess x Phal.(New Cinderella x Dtps. Sun Princess)

PM me if you're interested. They all look big and healthy.

What a bummer. I considered ordering from them but changed my mind as I found a violacea hybrid flask at Orchidview. I'm glad I didn't go with Carmela's. Sorry you had all this trouble.