Deflasking Phalaenopsis species in to individual 50mm clear pots - Orchid Board

OzPhal · #1 07-24-2012, 08:32 PM

Hi Everybody,

I just wanted your thoughts on something! I'm soon going to be taking delivery of a flask of P. kunstleri and P. violacea. In the past I've deflasked in to community pots using sphagnum moss and haven't had a great deal of success... I'm thinking this time of deflasking the seedlings in to individual 50mm pots with a 4 part fine bark, 1 part perlite, 1 part charcoal mix... what are peoples thoughts? has anybody done this? my reasoning is that it will be less disruptive on them rather than having to split them up down the track from the compots. I'll be growing the seedlings in a temperature, lighting & humidity controlled growth chamber that i have in my lab at work (normally used for algae growth) and i'll be maintaining the conditions at 28oC, 75% RH (I can increase the temperature and humidity if need be) and a 12hr on/12hr off light cycle... the bark mix that i will be using looks like this:

and I'll be keeping the water up to the roots via soaking from the bottom of the pot

Thoughts? advice?

PhalAddiction · #2 07-24-2012, 11:10 PM

Another member suggested using Coconut husk chips, and now I perfer CHC over bark.
I would substitue the two... Just my opinion.

orchidsarefun · #3 07-24-2012, 11:17 PM

personally I would keep the violacea in sphag moss, I have 4 in moss currently, 2 from seedling stage and they are doing really well. Not sure about the other phal though...

FairyInTheFlowers · #4 07-24-2012, 11:29 PM

I think in general, phals do better in the most water retentive mix as possible, and for seedlings straight from the flask, I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't make it well. But of course, your set up sounds pretty awesome, so I think it could be pulled off. I have seen gigantea seedlings establish in CHC, but those were ones large enough to be potted singlely.

keithrs · #5 07-25-2012, 12:17 AM

I've had success filling the pot 1/2 full of styrofoam peanuts, top dress with peat moss, perlite, and small bark. You can add more or less perlite or bark depending on how long your mix stays moist.

keithrs · #6 07-25-2012, 12:18 AM

Can I ask what problems you had in the past?

OzPhal · #7 07-25-2012, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keithrs

Can I ask what problems you had in the past?

Thanks everybody for your responses - I appreciate it! one thing I love about this forum is the diversity of answers you get - it really helps to give a thorough cross section of what works for others...

Keith, in the past the big issue for me has been water management/fungal rot and the ability to maintain high temperatures/humidity.

The temperature/humidity/lighting control problem is eliminated now through the use of the growth cabinets at work but I was wanting to see if potting straight in to a bark mix would eliminate the need to disturb them down the track

Are you guys able to see the photo of the bark mix? I've had some hassles attaching pictures of late

zxyqu · #8 07-25-2012, 09:23 AM

Wanted to chime in on this. I actually like Keith's mix, and I'd probably try it if I didn't have such good luck with Sphag. If you're having rot issues with compots in sphag, it's most likely due to getting water on the leaves. That's the trick with seedlings, is super high humidity, constant temp, and minimal watering. Dont ever soak the media. Use a dropper/spoon/etc to add a little water when it's less moist. The glory of high humidity is, you rarely have to water. That's not a bad thing, as the flasklings are used to 100% humidity, 100% moisture all the time for 12-18 months. Those roots are not going to like drying out... ever... not even a little bit. Rotting of one root might kill a seedling.
Also, since you're getting a flask, maybe you put one group in Mix "a" and another group in Mix "b". Hopefully both survive equally, but at least that way you spread your risk.

keithrs · #9 07-25-2012, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OzPhal

Thanks everybody for your responses - I appreciate it! one thing I love about this forum is the diversity of answers you get - it really helps to give a thorough cross section of what works for others...

Keith, in the past the big issue for me has been water management/fungal rot and the ability to maintain high temperatures/humidity.

The temperature/humidity/lighting control problem is eliminated now through the use of the growth cabinets at work but I was wanting to see if potting straight in to a bark mix would eliminate the need to disturb them down the track

Are you guys able to see the photo of the bark mix? I've had some hassles attaching pictures of late

Growing in an enclose environment(aka grow tent) will greatly reduce rot problems with seedlings.... Most bacteria's that cause rot are transported through the air, or by insects. If you have a open water tank thats not aerated you can get 'bad' bacteria's that way too. I'm also a firm believer in using beneficial microbes. I have Stanhopes that are in soak'n'wet sphag. in very high humidity and warm temps and very high air movement....Have had zero problems with rot.... knock on wood!!!!

As far as my bark mixes.... I use straight med grade(classic) orchiata with a light top dress of seedling bark. On a very rare occasion I'll use 75/25 orchiata/hydroton. Mainly for water sensitive plants. If you have high humidity I would stay away from using a pot filled with seedling bark. Unless your using net pots.

keithrs · #10 07-25-2012, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OzPhal

Hi Everybody,

I just wanted your thoughts on something! I'm soon going to be taking delivery of a flask of P. kunstleri and P. violacea. In the past I've deflasked in to community pots using sphagnum moss and haven't had a great deal of success... I'm thinking this time of deflasking the seedlings in to individual 50mm pots with a 4 part fine bark, 1 part perlite, 1 part charcoal mix... what are peoples thoughts? has anybody done this? my reasoning is that it will be less disruptive on them rather than having to split them up down the track from the compots. I'll be growing the seedlings in a temperature, lighting & humidity controlled growth chamber that i have in my lab at work (normally used for algae growth) and i'll be maintaining the conditions at 28oC, 75% RH (I can increase the temperature and humidity if need be) and a 12hr on/12hr off light cycle... the bark mix that i will be using looks like this:

and I'll be keeping the water up to the roots via soaking from the bottom of the pot

Thoughts? advice?

I suggest using courser potting mix... I don't like wicking water from the bottom ether... The bottom of the pot will stay quite bit wetter then the top. I would go with a 16 on/8 off for your lighting.