Oncidium seedlings in S/H tips or suggestions?
 

I have various oncidium seedlings in 2-3" pots arriving sometime next week as part of my holiday gifts from family. Normally I prefer adding larger plants to my collection, but my sister found miltassia shelob tolkien (we're LOTR fans) at seedling size along with a few others on my wish list. My adult oncidiums are all in 6" glass vases S/H culture, and the smallest other sizes I have are 5" for my phals. Nothing smaller.

Does anyone have experience growing tiny seedlings in much larger pots in S/H, or should I try to get something smaller for them? If so, any size suggestions or tips for seedlings in general? I want them to have the best chance possible. Thanks!

Watching, I just got a com pot in the mail today.

For finer rooted plants, I like finer leca than the standard 8mm-16mm. Scroll down on this link to "clay pellet media":

RK2 Systems - Media

In my experience, you don't need to bother with finer LECA, as the plants don't seem to care, even with finer roots.

Pot size for seedlings in S/H using LECA is far less critical than when growing them traditionally, and they will likely outgrow them relatively quickly, so disposable plastic Solo cups work well, and are available in a variety of sizes.

Before drilling a bunch, keep in mind that you're going to want the LECA to stay moist all the way to the top with these young 'uns, so you might want to set up a plant-free S/H pot for a few days to judge the pot height and reservoir depth that'll work well.

Subrosa - I have Leca from 5mm all the way up to 16mm, so I should be good.

Ray - I already set up trial reservoir heights with leftover cups I found in the pantry last night! I also have some covers I could put over them to form a ventilated mini greenhouse scenario if needed, but I have humidifiers in my grow space with an adjustable RH, currently set to 70%, room temp 70F. Decent, or should I adjust settings?

70°/70% ought to be fine, but you can determine the answer yourself: If the LECA at the top of your "test pot" stays moist, it's fine. If it dries out within a day, raise the reservoir (shorten the distance from the reservoir water surface to the top of the LECA),

Thanks, Ray! Will do.

I'll try to remember to post update photos of the little guys once they arrive and are all set up for everyone to see.

If you want smaller, head to the local thrift shop. I got 6 today for under $4. I have to drill them but they should be great for the seedlings.