Can I de-flsk babies in autumn? - Orchid Board

Vina · #1 10-31-2011, 05:59 AM

Hi, all!
this ir my first attempt of growing an orchid from flask I purchased at the show.
It's a small plastic flask with only 5 plants (Epidendrum cordigerum). I was told to keep the flask as it is till the Spring. But... due to traveling I damaged that gel and it looks like I have to repot tham.
Any advice and help will be appreciated!

Thanks!

neb · #2 10-31-2011, 07:15 PM

If you can get the media off the leaves it may be ok otherwise you may need to go ahead and do it now. If you do have to do it now then try to acclimate them slowly to our world, that is what I am doing to three flasks right now.

Bud · #3 10-31-2011, 08:39 PM

If you are scared to pot them...you can transfer them to a big jar but make sure before you seal them that no contamination has occured....Epidendrums are very hardy as long as you have 2 inches leaf you can deflask it and pot it with some moss spritz and moisturize it for a couple of weeks until it grows bigger roots to be able to transplant in regular orchid mix

Vina · #4 11-01-2011, 06:16 AM

Thanks for replies!
Last night I noticed some mold on gel, so I took them out of the flask, rinsed with good quality soft water and put in a transparent plastic cake box on sphagnum moss. That's for now, till I get some materials I need to re-pot them properly.
Anything else I can do?

glengary54 · #5 11-01-2011, 01:21 PM

Vina - I would spray them with a fungicide especially since you said that there was mold in the flask, sitting in a damp container with no ventilation is only inviting problems. They still need the extra humidity but also need air movement.

Vina · #6 11-01-2011, 01:29 PM

oh! poor my little ones! ok, I'll spray them with a fungicide. And I think it would be ok opening the container twice a day.

RJSquirrel · #7 11-02-2011, 03:18 AM

Clean the seedlings under gently running cold water. Be sure to remove all agar (jelly) from
around the roots as any residue will invite fungal infection. Try not to handle the roots with your fingers.
Soak the seedlings in fungicide solution for approximately 10 minutes and then leave to dry for a
further 10 minutes.
While waiting for the seedlings to dry, prepare the pots by placing pieces of clay chip and/or charcoal on the bottom with a layer of small tree fern pieces on top. Shred the tree fern and mix with sphagnum moss or use moss alone as the top layer.
Place the seedlings carefully on the moss and lightly cover the roots with a fine layer of moss, leaving the main “stem” of the plant free of any media. Place the pot in a shaded area and mist spray with a solution of fertilizer and fungicide.
Ensure the seedlings do not dry out over the first few weeks by misting them occasionally with water. They must not get too wet.
The entire pot can be placed in a clear large plastic bag to maintain humidity for the first two weeks. There must be enough air inside so it does not remain too misted.
After 2 weeks punch 2 holes in the bag and over a period of a month gradually increase the holes in the bag to allow more air from the outside to enter. This method will allow the seedlings to acclimatize gradually.
Spray fertilize once every 2 weeks with a dilute fertilizer solution. After three months this should be able to be increase to weekly spraying.

Vina · #8 11-02-2011, 06:34 AM

Thanks you, RJSquirrel! this ir really helpful!
That's what was my plan for next spring

today I guess I have to repot them asap.