Missed this thread earlier. Here are the fundamentals for growing from flask:
A. Provide near 100% humidity.
B. Ideally 5-10 degrees F warmer than you would grow mature plants of the same genus.
C. One step deeper shade than you would grow mature plants of the same genus. IE:
- Cymbidium seedlings go into Cattleya/Phrag light.
- Cattleya/Phrag seedlings go into Paph light
- Paph seedlings need abt 80% shade
D. If possible, place in compots rather than individual pots (they grow MUCH better that way).
Even though I grow in a greenhouse, I still do seedling tubs in order to provide the higher humidity & lower light (see photo).
I have a more detailed article on how to deflask and deal with seedlings. If you want a copy, send an email to
fairorchids@aol.com with 'Deflasking' as subject.
Finally:
1. I agree 100% with Ray, that fungicide treatment is entirely unnecessary when deflasking. If you loose seedlings, it is lack of humidity/drying out/too bright light (or deflasking too late).
2. To opener, yes, they are inexpensive to buy, but after 3-5 years of growing, your true cost far exceeds what it would cost to buy NBS or BS plants from Hawaii.
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