Frozen Cattleya percivaliana from Singapore (silla-glamour).

[golforchid]

There is an allure to obtaining plants from foreign vendors. In particular there are desirable or "unusual" species that one cannot obtain in the U.S. So folks either preorder from a foreign vendor, pick the plants up at an orchid show or have the plants mailed to them from a US location. Another option is to purchase from someone in the US who organizes a group order, imports the plants, and then sends or resells them to the US customer. By whatever method, be prepared for plants that may be in rough shape, that will need time to reestablish themselves or that will not survive. Unless in flask, plants have to be cleaned and treated before arrival in the US, frequently leaves and roots are trimmed with the plants traveling bare root (or sometimes wrapped in a bit of sphagnum). Depending upon length of time in transit, plants, particularly those without pseudobulbs, can be dessicated. Unless one is importing from Europe, it is likely that the plants have been cultivated in entirely different conditions and from a country where the seasons are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere. This is not to say that these plants won't survive, but don't expect them to look or act like those you purchase from your favorite US vendor.

[Mini Mad]

Sorry I got stupid on everyone.
I my self about my impulsive purchase. I had a month of torture as I waited a month for the plants to arrive. The stress made me snap.

Icky lost a leaf. The squid lets arrived on January 2.
This is my first flask.
I hope I did everything right. Now to wait and watch.

It is hard for me to write. Brain won't allow it. Thanks, Lori

[Becca]

Hi Lori! Glad you came back to join us! Hope you don't mind if I give you some advice on your squidletts ...... but those babies need to be in super high humidity and then eventually you can harden them off (give them a little less humidity at a time). Pot them up into a compot of sphagnum moss in a clear plastic container like the one in your picture, poke some holes in the bottom for drainage, and put a lid on it to keep the humidity high! You can buy compot containers as well that will have taller lids. If you needs some help on where to buy them let me know and I'll post a link. I just don't want to see your babies die! Gotta go cook breakfast before work!

[harrywitmore]

Originally Posted by Becca

Hi Lori! Glad you came back to join us! Hope you don't mind if I give you some advice on your squidletts ...... but those babies need to be in super high humidity and then eventually you can harden them off (give them a little less humidity at a time). Pot them up into a compot of sphagnum moss in a clear plastic container like the one in your picture, poke some holes in the bottom for drainage, and put a lid on it to keep the humidity high! You can buy compot containers as well that will have taller lids. If you needs some help on where to buy them let me know and I'll post a link. I just don't want to see your babies die! Gotta go cook breakfast before work!

Lori, I didn't feel like you went 'stupid' on me. Just the opposite. My tone was wrong and that's why I apologized. I know from experience how you feel. I wish I knew more about raising plants from flask but it's not something I have tried but once and failed miserably at it so good luck!

[Mini Mad]

Hi Becca, I am at 80% humidity all of the time. They were Next to a raging waterfall. The pond filter. Still not enough? I moved them back to the container and covered them as you directed. Thanks, Lori
P.S. I have fans blasting.

[Becca]

Hi Lori! I didn't realize your humidity was so high...sorry! But I would still play it safe and harden them off slowly. Here is a link to some helpful info on Troy Meyers Labortory website (https://lab.troymeyers.com/flasking/...Flaskling-Care). There is a paragraph on "Initial Humidity" that will be helpful. Plus his website has lots of tempting flasks to purchase! Good luck resisting and let us know how the little ones do!

[vmax3000]

Hey Becca,
The link didn't come through on your post. Would you mind reposting it? I am interested. Thanks.

[Mini Mad]

VMAX3000, Here is the link. I forgot about this site. I love the potting trick! Too cool!
https://lab.troymeyers.com/flasking/...Flaskling-Care Cool!

SPHAGNUM MOSS That stuff hates me. Whenever It see's me it's death to what is placed upon it!
I have even tried the fancy stuff.

This is my third year of successfully "keeping" orchids.
Thanks, Becca I am blessing you a great day!! Lori

[Becca]

Originally Posted by vmax3000

Hey Becca,
The link didn't come through on your post. Would you mind reposting it? I am interested. Thanks.

Ooops! I forgot to post the link Looks like Lori got to posting it before me!

[Becca]

Originally Posted by Mini Mad

This is my third year of successfully "keeping" orchids.

I started growing in late 2006.....I dove right in, seedlings and all! It's all so much fun and have learned so much from others on here! This place is great!