First flask questions-- compot alternatives, kelpmax?

[Fairorchids]

Originally Posted by Dalachin

Hi all,

So I'm about to get my first flask this week from Troy Meyers, a Phalaenopsis philippinensis flask. Complicating things is that he labeled the flask as "problematic" due to the fact that some seedlings are smaller than expected.

I have his excellent instruction sheet for compotting into little plastic square pots with spagnum, and planned to follow it to the letter. However he also suggested on the side that I might want to try some seedlings directly mounted or in charcoal or other media, which sort of threw me into mad internet searches for alternate methods of growing up seedlings. Are there other things I should be considering? I guess it can't hurt to try, but I would hate to waste seedlings on hopeless methods.

Also, is the use of Kelpak and quantum total suggested for deflasking, and how would you use it?

FYI I plan to grow them in my grow tent which has around 70 percent humidity and 70-80 degree night-day temps. Probably on their own little heating pad to keep them a little warmer.

Best,
Christine

Do NOT use little square individual pots. Seedlings grow vastly better in crowded compots or seedling trays, than they do individually. You can download my instructions from my website (Fair Orchids). Click on 'Orchids' and the select 'Cultural notes'. Download 'FO, Growing Seedlings from Flask'.

I hate to put it this way, but flasks from Troy tend to have seedlings that are too small to deflask.

---------- Post added at 06:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:39 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Dalachin

Hi all,

So I'm about to get my first flask this week from Troy Meyers, a Phalaenopsis philippinensis flask. Complicating things is that he labeled the flask as "problematic" due to the fact that some seedlings are smaller than expected.

I have his excellent instruction sheet for compotting into little plastic square pots with spagnum, and planned to follow it to the letter. However he also suggested on the side that I might want to try some seedlings directly mounted or in charcoal or other media, which sort of threw me into mad internet searches for alternate methods of growing up seedlings. Are there other things I should be considering? I guess it can't hurt to try, but I would hate to waste seedlings on hopeless methods.

Also, is the use of Kelpak and quantum total suggested for deflasking, and how would you use it?

FYI I plan to grow them in my grow tent which has around 70 percent humidity and 70-80 degree night-day temps. Probably on their own little heating pad to keep them a little warmer.

Best,
Christine

Do NOT use little square individual pots. Seedlings grow vastly better in crowded compots or seedling trays, than they do individually. You can download my instructions from my website (Fair Orchids). Click on 'Orchids' and the select 'Cultural notes'. Download 'FO, Growing Seedlings from Flask'.

I hate to put it this way, but flasks from Troy tend to have seedlings that are too small to deflask.

While Phals can be grown mounted, it is absurd to do so with seedlings fresh out of a flask. Several members of Southern Tier know my phone number. Feel free to call me for assistance with this project.