Deflasked Vandas
 

Hi everyone. This week (on Friday) I will be receiving my first orchid flask. Actually the Vandas will be sent deflasked. Any tips on how to pot these babies. I was told to use net pots, sphagnum moss and charcoal on the bottom of the pots. I know I'm gonna need help in the process: potting, watering, fertilizing etc. Anyone have any tips.

Thank you,
Adalberto
Puerto Rico

vanda flasks I have potted them into plastic net baskets with the roots tied and wrapped around a wine cork and then stabilized into the net basket. Real cork now, not them fake mogen david corks. Covered the corks with medium bark and put them in the greenhouse. The roots should and need to be about 2-3 inches long. Any shorter than that and you are going to have a more difficult time stabilizing them into a pot without damaging the roots. You would really rather unflask them yourself to be honest hey?

Good luck and dont burn em in the sun too fast. Use lots of water, dont let em dry out. Small plants wont take the heat right now :waving

Gracias RJSquirrel

I am currently growing vanda suavis seedlings from a flask. In my growing environment I have had success by putting them in groups of 10 in a 6 inch clay pot with holes. I have them in spag., but the spag. is not packed tight, they sit about two inches below the rim of the pot on top of the spag. (it seems to keep the humidity up) They get a lot of bright shade throughout the day, the brightest being in the morning. I don't let water sit on the leaves at all, if I drip some on them when watering, I immediately dry them off with a paper towel to protect them from bacteria and such. I also constantly have a fan running above them to keep up air circulation. I hope this helps!!! Good luck!

Hi Nikkik. Yes, your information does help. Although my biggest concern is the SPAG. I've noticed that I AM NOT good at working with spag at all. Every orchid I get I have to remove it from the spag and use a different potting mix. I’ve been told that it’s because I’m over watering. I usually use the water hose but this time with the baby vandas I may consider using a spray bottle. Any advice on watering these babies. As soon as I start the process I will post photos so you guys can see how it goes.

I agree with the net pots, sphag and charcoal. Be sure not to have them in to strong of light, especially at first. They burn easily when they are babies. Water as soon as the sphag is dry and fertilize weakly weekly.

When I water mine I use a plastic cup that I have bent to create a spout; this way the water is directed on the roots and the spag. I try not to get water on the leaves because I'm worried about bacteria. When I water like this I can make sure the roots are getting a direct drink and the spag. is moist, but not drenched to the point where it is soaked and takes days to dry.

If spag isn't best for your growing conditions a seedling mix may suit your orchids better, but I would still make sure water doesn't stand on your leaves for too long because they're still fragile.

Which vanda are your seedlings?

I believe it's called Euanthe Sanderiana

---------- Post added at 11:06 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:04 AM ----------

When people say "fertilze weekly weekly", does it mean fertilze every 7 days? Is there a special fertilizer for baby orchids? There are so many out in the market and I'm not sure which one to use.

just dilute the fertilizer ....they will be happy.. I don't yet have a vanda in my collection ..they seem so interesting I would love to get one eventually.. but just dilute and you'll be fine... I use superthrive and other liquid or granule fertilizers