Flask -> Compot -> Individual Pots

[Fairorchids]

Some of these photos have been posted under other threads, but I decided to bring them all together in one place.

I have a lot of Paph seedlings going, most of them Woodstream Orchids hobby flasks (nominal 6-8 seedlings, but most flasks have some 10-15 seedlings).

1st pic = new flask
2nd pic = degree of cleaning before they go into 1 compot in one group
3rd pic = two compots potted up recently. One with below avg size seedlings, the other with above avg size seedlings.
4th pic = three compots after 1 year (potted Aug 2013)
5th pic = Paph barbatum compot split up on Aug 23, 2014.
6th pic = Paph philippinense compot split up on Aug 23, 2014.

I use 2" pots to the extent that I can. A few plants have roots that are too long, so there I am forced to go larger. The plan is for seedlings to stay in these pots for 2 years (hopefully close to blooming size for the larger plants).

Compot Mix = 75% chopped spaghnum w 15% seedling bark & 10% seedling charcoal.

Seedling pot mix = 50% chopped spaghnum, 25% seedling bark, 15% seedling charcoal & 10% seedling perlite, but with a few larger bark nuggets in the bottom of each pot.

[czayta]

Wow, cool pictures! I like your setup. Thanks for sharing. Your seedlings look very healthy.

Do you wash all the agar off the roots or is some left on because they are a little bit hairy?

Do you have any issues with sphagnum fungus gnats/flies in your seedling growing areas? They are getting out of control in mine. I have pinguicula and fans on to try and dry it out/keep the air circulating but they just keep multiplying.

[Fairorchids]

Agar: I clean off major chunks with a bamboo skewer. Then I rinse with water. Whatever is left goes into the compot. If you try to clean completely, or separate the seedlings, the very brittle 'in-flask' roots break very easily.

Fungus gnat are not a major problem in the greenhouse I share with 2 other growers. We do have half a dozen fans in strategic locations to keep the air moving.

We have more problems with scale & mealies, so we do have to spray for those on occasion.

[stonedragonfarms]

Thanks for the great photos; what is your treatment after the initial compotting; ie do you grow them on under supplemental humidity, heat, etc? Some things do well for me out of flask and into community pots (cymbidiums, Cattleya alliance) and some things not so much (Dendrobium alliance, paphs)
Thanks!
Adam

[Fairorchids]

I grow compots in plastic storage tubs (see Pic #4), on egg crate shelf above 2" of water, and covered with shade cloth. I posted photos of how to set up tubs in another thread a couple of weeks ago. See 'Deflasking Vandas', post on Aug 4th.

They get water & fertilizer on same schedule as the other plants in the greenhouse. Tubs are located very close to the heater, so they have the warmest possible spot in the greenhouse (but without risking drying out, since they have water in the bottom).


8/28 edit: On 8/27 I broke up a compot I purchased from a nursery in Hawaii (see in background in Pic #4). They used a mix of 80% spaghnum (not chopped), and 20% medium size bark, with pure spagnhum on top.

It was deflasked in July 2013, and I bought it in Nov. It has spent the time since then in one of my tubs, though with shade cloth removed the last 6 weeks or so.

I got 26 healthy seedlings (up to a good 5-6" across) and 5 runts out of this compot (from full size flask).

[Oscarman]

Your plants are looking great and the tub idea is a good one. Do you have any ventilation holes in them, of is the loose fit of the lid enough to get some air exchange?

I have done deflasking paphs and not removed any agar with good success, although I was very sceptical. Potted into NZ moss and watched it like a hawk! No rot, mold or any troubles.

[Fairorchids]

I use a lid with shade cloth (50%). There is a stationary fan blowing across the lids, that has provided adequate air circulation.

In the compot I just broke up, I suspect that the nursery did not remove the agar (there was a layer of blackish material at the root level). I might have to experiment with that approach; it will be a lot faster.

[RNCollins]

Fair orchids,

How are your Paph seedlings coming along?

[billc]

Carol, thanks for resurrecting this post, I must have missed it on the 1st go around.
Fair Orchids, I was glad to see the pic of your philippinense. I bought a flask from Woodstream 2 years ago,WSO 4369, and as they grow I was wondering about the leaf pattern I see on mine. Yours show the same leaves. I sometimes think I'm going to grow these for 5 or 6 years only to find out it's not Alford.

Bill

[Fairorchids]

I have my concerns also (abt leaf pattern). However, they are growing well, so hopefully we will find out soon enough.

I know Bill G. well enough, that he will make good if it is something else.