Nobby's Amy Cross

[ALToronto]

Are you still keeping them in sphagnum, or have you switched to another medium? If sphagnum, are you managing to keep it algae free?

[orchidsarefun]

Originally Posted by ALToronto

Are you still keeping them in sphagnum, or have you switched to another medium? If sphagnum, are you managing to keep it algae free?

still in sphagnum. In compots where leaves cover/protect the pot, the algae growth is limited and dark green in colour ( you can see in the photos ). In pots where more sphagnum is exposed to the light, the algae is blackish and greasy. More frequent potting is a solution that I try and follow.

[lotis146]

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

Seeds were flasked on Feb 22, 2012. They would be a year out of flask in early July, I was hoping to get blooms by 1 year but no such luck.

Sorry for repeat, but how long for the pod to develop? And they were in flask for almost a year and a half? Sorry for all the questions, done some of my first pollinating lately so I'm curious about the process I'm heading into. I appreciate your willingness to share.

Too bad they didn't bloom for you, perhaps they still will...?

[orchidsarefun]

Date pollinated - 22 Feb 2012 ( I had the incorrect date below )
Flasked - 31 July 2012 - pod took about 5 months to mature
Deflasked - 5 July 2013

Note that there is no standard period, some take longer in flask and for the pod to mature. Some take less time. Some people have "green" pods sown. You can use the above timing as an indication.
I have heard that phals can bloom within a year of deflasking, though it is very rare. Of course these will bloom, just don't know when.

[lotis146]

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

Date pollinated - 22 Feb 2012 ( I had the incorrect date below )
Flasked - 31 July 2012 - pod took about 5 months to mature
Deflasked - 5 July 2013

Note that there is no standard period, some take longer in flask and for the pod to mature. Some take less time. Some people have "green" pods sown. You can use the above timing as an indication.
I have heard that phals can bloom within a year of deflasking, though it is very rare. Of course these will bloom, just don't know when.

Thank you for sharing your experience.

I have heard about them taking 8+ months but love the idea of them POSSIBLY taking a little less time. But I hadn't yet learned they can take so long to deflask. then again, plenty of time to prepare!

[orchidsarefun]

Update - I switched fertiliser to organic Buffaloam and am using it exclusively at 1 teaspoon per gallon at every watering. Its only been a few weeks, but so far so good.
I will repot all of these in fresh spagnum before cold weather sets in, as well as spray an insecticide. I may also have to upsize the pots of a couple.
There is lots of root growth - a good sign !

[lotis146]

That's pretty exciting!

[ilikeorchids]

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

thanks.
OB is great in that I can track the development of the seedlings......in one thread ! Hopefully its of use to others too, though its a bit like showing your holiday photos. Only you are the most interested

Better keep us updated!

[orchidsarefun]

I have started to repot a couple. Big boy/girl pants time !
Pliable plastic pots are 3.5in, old pots 2.5in.
Roots are in great condition. Pure, tightly packed sphagnum - I seem to have the most success with this medium in pots up to around 4in.

Yep - these seedlings are the same age...

[lotis146]

Wow! What a size difference. I love how the the leaves are still speckled on that little guy.

Good luck.