Seedlings - an unscientific experiment

[orchidsarefun]

I deflasked another cross of mine on 7/31 and decided on an experiment. I placed 3 tiny, barely rooted plants in sphag and around a phal that I have hanging under a shrub outdoors - so they only have the shrub as weather protection. The temps in the past week have varied from upper 50's to mid-80's f and we have had one or two storms.
Take a look at the photos - all have survived so far and appear to be doing well. No fungicide, pesticide or bacteriocide has been used. I have already concluded that seedlings are tough based on my experience with indoor grown seedlings, this experiment is more proof.
I don't honestly expect them to survive longer term, but we'll see.

[Island Girl]

Awesome! I will look forward to updates as things progress

[vjo]

Why dont you expect them to survive? .....Jean

[RosieC]

Cool hope they do survive for you.

[orchidsarefun]

Originally Posted by vjo

Why dont you expect them to survive? .....Jean

well they barely had roots, are tiny compared to other siblings/seedlings I have deflasked ( at the same age ) and for the next month or so are unprotected against weather, insects and everything else in the garden.
So its not a "controlled" growing environment which, according to the experts, seedlings need to thrive.
I have also got to remember to water them, even if it rains as they are in a spot that's protected, while the "surrogate" has plenty of roots to absorb moisture/rain.

[isurus79]

I'm also eager to see where this experiment takes you. Thanks for posting!

[orchidsarefun]

1 of the seedlings has died, the other 2 are hanging in there. They are both more buried in the sphag, but still visible. Temps are dropping overnight into the 60s.

barely visible - the larger one has the 2 green leaves.


host plant. The seedlings are at the back.

[orchidsarefun]

sorry to report that the seedlings died after I brought the plant inside. I wasn't able to keep the sphag moist enough indoors, mainly because the surrogate is mounted and very awkward to water. But....I think if I had a greenhouse or all-year-round warm weather, they would have survived.
I might try again with older seedlings next year.

[kindrag23]

OH I am sorry that does stink when they dont make it. But now you know where to better work on your theory for next year.

[GardenTheater]

It's great that you tried something different and got some new knowledge about what works in your conditions.