Oncidium seedlings in S/H tips or suggestions?

[arianeos]

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!

[TamiP]

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

[Subrosa]

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

[Ray]

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.

[arianeos]

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?

[Ray]

Originally Posted by arianeos

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),

[arianeos]

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.

[TamiP]

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.