Nobby's Amy Cross

[orchidsarefun]

Thanks. I want to inspire people to have confidence to make their own crosses - there are certainly many who purchase flasks ! As you can all see, its not difficult.

The parent was pollinated on 22 Feb 2012. So - 18 months later I have about 50-70 seedlings in 2 inch pots and trays ! I just hope that the progeny have great flowers ! As I said before, the goal is to get blooms a year out of flask, and I am hoping that they are great-looking......
The seedlings have cost $42 so far, excluding media. The $14 flasking fee and 2x$14 replating flasks. That is less than people are playing for 1x flask.

[Island Girl]

I didn't realize it was that cheap... I have a pod (capsule) hanging right now, it's a selfing (Germaine Vincent) & I was wondering who you use? (I have a name of a person from another forum, as well, but I'm just curious, you can PM me if you'd like). Also, how much time (warning) should you give the flasker before the capsule is ready? (I have awhile, but will be contacting someone soon )

[orchidsarefun]

I use Orchid Origins - Shane. He takes dehisced or green capsules/pods.
Your "selfing" sounds great ! Go for it !

Orchid Origins

[orchidsarefun]

As I introduce more seedlings to my grow-area under lights, it seems like the gnats have arrived too. In a big way.
The best natural control is a butterwort. ( pinguicula )

I placed this one about 2 days ago. Its literally covered in fungus gnats, and the interesting part of this is that the gnats are all clustered on 1 or 2 leaves. It appears that there is a fatal attraction. One gets randomly "caught" and then attracts a lot more !

[Island Girl]

Wow, that's cool... I love to see them all dead like that!

Ya know, I've been looking for sundews, but cannot find them... Where did u get your Butterwort? (I just figured sundews might be easier to find, I swear I've seen them at Lowes, but they sure don't have them now.)

[ALToronto]

I had a butterwort for a while, and not a single gnat ever landed on it. There were plenty flying around, and the leaves were sticky, but the butterwort went hungry month after month. Eventually it lost all its leaves and died, and I haven't bothered to replace it.

Now I've started using SucraShield, and as long as you're diligent about applying it every 7 days, it keeps the gnats well under control.

[orchidsarefun]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

Wow, that's cool... I love to see them all dead like that!

Ya know, I've been looking for sundews, but cannot find them... Where did u get your Butterwort? (I just figured sundews might be easier to find, I swear I've seen them at Lowes, but they sure don't have them now.)

I started with one about a year ago. I now have 4, they split very easily and a 2in pot is perfect for them. 1/2 sphag and 1/2 medium bark.
I got it at an orchid show.
I have seen nice ones for sale at Natts Orchids in Naperville, but I am sure if you are a member of an Orchid Society somebody there will have one.....

When there are no fungus gnats I feed them dried bloodworm. They have been outdoors for Summer and its an eye-opener that there are so many tiny flying insects that get "caught".

[orchidsarefun]

these are the ones - so far - in the 2 ( green ) and 2.25 inch pots.
I moved them into my adult grow area - ran out of space in the basement. Its warmer, no lights and lower humidity.
But they do get late afternoon sun...
I will monitor growth here vs. basement. I am going to have to buy a plant stand for the basement....

[orchidsarefun]

its been about a month.
I purchased a light stand. After a day the light fell on the one side and burnt 2 of the seedlings. They are in ICU at the moment....Once I sorted that out, the stand has literally been a godsend because there is a LOT more space. 3 lighted shelves ! Whoopee !

This is what some of them look like.





its been about 3 months since I deflasked. I can notice the progress and actually its quite exciting, a lot more that watching paint dry.

[RosieC]

Looking good