Encyclia Fragrans seedlings - help and advice, please!
 

I bought and deflasked a flask of Encyclia Fragrans seedlings today a week ago. I placed them on damp sphagnum moss which was layered on some LECA for drainage. I stray them once a day, and on a hot day, twice. They are in medium light on a heating mat with a 'dome' covering them for a greenhouse effect. I remove the 'dome' lids twice a day for a few minutes, in the morning and in the afternoon/evening when I get home to harden them off.

Could anyone with experience in deflasking seedlings, or with Encyclia Fragrans in particular, check that I'm doing the right things? How long must I continue with the hardening procedure? So far there has been no sign of fungus or wilting or sunburn or anything else wrong - they seem to be very happy so far! I'm almost positive some have doubled the length of their roots...Or maybe that's just me hoping! :biggrin:

~Havyn

(I will add some pictures just as soon as I'm allowed to!)

---------- Post added at 11:26 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:17 AM ----------

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ture12147t.jpg
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ture12148t.jpg

Hard to tell for sure but it doesn't look like a very bright spot and this is a species that needs bright. Even when first deflasked. No direct sun...but definitely bright.

Can't help w/the rest, sorry.

I see no real problems with what you are doing, for now.

You will want to gradually adapt them to brighter light, as mentioned. Make sure you aren't spraying so often that the sphagnum stays saturated.

They will benefit from high humidity at least until they mature a new growth, but if they have active root growth you can begin to gradually ventilate more with holes in the domes. No air movement or air exchange under the domes for 12 hours at a time is an invitation for mold.

I don't think the heat mat is necessary at all, or could be turned off at night, unless that would mean a temperature significantly below 15C for extended periods. As they mature they can take cooler temperature than that.

We are going through a slight dip in temps right now - 5-9 degrees C at night and between 15-24 degrees during the day. And my sitting room is COLD, and is at least 5 degrees lower. Our summer temps are predicted to start next week by Wednesday, so I thought that I would take them off the mat then. And thanks for the tips!