Black Orchid: Fdk After Dark Trade Project

[jay]

I have been going through the thread trying to figure out who bought a Fdk. After Dark for the trade project. Here is what I found. If I missed a name while going through the hundreds of posts please forgive me and let me know.

The original three:
PhalPal
Arleneg
Jay

Also joined:
Sruane
Zuri
Clarita (has been missing for quite a while)
Don1 (has not been on since November)


I know there are a couple of people also growing hybrids that are crossed with After Dark. Hope I didn't miss anyone, but I was skimming the 500+ posts.

[LouisW]

I think Zuri also has one.

[jay]

I just added Zuri. I knew I would miss someone. I'm sorry.

[PhalPal]

Jay I am going to divide my original bulb this weekend. I haven't done it yet because I want to put it in S/H and I don't have the supplies. The closest store to me is fairly far away so getting out there has been difficult. I have to order some lights so I just may get it online anyway.
I'll let you know what the roots look like; I am fairly certain some of the mass of roots I see now belong to the bulb I am thinking of dividing. I am always up for trading!!!!

[jay]

PhalPal, this should be fun. I think I am going to have to clear out one of my shelves for just Catasetinae. If you and I trade, I can send some LECA with this division so you can try it in S/H.

I suppose we should see who in this group is ready to divide and trade so we don't leave anyone out. I will send a PM to each member to update their status.

[PhalPal]

Absolutely check in with everyone else!! I just wanted to let you know where I stand in all this. Honestly I don't know how we are going to develop a fair trading system. Start a list, jumble it randomly, and trade with the guy below you???? Seriously??

I'm a little spooked about trying S/H with this bulb. Even though I think it is probably the best medium for these insanely fast growers, I am not an expert and don't have a method developed with all the chemicals, etc. I tried an Oncidium in it last year and it died......enough said!

[LouisW]

All the Chemicals? You mean for S/H?

I don't use any chemicals. Occasionally I use some organic fertilizer or some Worm tea if you got it, but other than that I don't know what chems you are thinking.

[PhalPal]

Louis I was referring to the pH stabilizers and fertilizers. I would also have to keep a supply of distilled water but it wouldn't be too hard with only one plant.

[jay]

PhalPal - I rarely use Ph adjusters. I just use a fertilizer. I spot check the Ph every once in a while but since I use the same formula year round it shouldn't change.

Here is who I have heard from so far that is ready to change.
Jay
PhalPal
Sruane

Still waiting to hear from:
Arleneg
Zuri

Not sure if still involved:
Don1 - Out of project
Clarita

I think we should wait until this weekend to see who else may be ready. Then we will just do like a white elephant gift circle and pass our bulb to the next person in line so everyone will get a new bulb.

This method of course is not set in stone. If anyone doesn't like this idea or has another suggestion I would be open to anything.

[LouisW]

PhalPal, I have never used a pH stabilizer either, if you have a bad pH there are other things such as lemon juice that can act as a buffer. Also I have quite hard water, which can be a drag but most of the plants do just fine in it, Phrags are a little sensitive. The pots are really easy to flush, you just plug the hole and fill the pot for a while. I Find S/H is very simple and straightforward.

Sorry for the tangent, as you were.

[PhalPal]

Not taken as a tangent at all Louis! I am learning along with everyone else about this and don't know much about S/H, so please throw your experiences and ideas out there!

Jay, while listening to your class in San Bern meeting I could have sworn you had to find the correct formula of fertilizers, etc at the beginning and that included knowing what your pH was after adding these goodies???
I KNOW I did not walk away from that meeting thinking all I had to do was use tap water, Hydroton and a deli container!!! In fact, this is the exact recipe I used (+ MSU fertilizer and a fan) when I killed an Oncidium last year in my first attempt. I'm really confused and now know I can't try S/H on my After Dark. I need more experience with other less valuable orchids.

Also....... I am balking a little on trading right now because I would be trading my most mature bulb and keeping a baby bulb which is probably a year or more from spiking. I do not have a growth or spike on my original bulb but roots are starting right now. The baby bulb has a growth about 9-10 inches high and lots of roots. Since our originals from San Diego did not throw a spike this year, we are almost guaranteed a spike this fall and then we will know what color we have to trade. What do you think???

[jay]

PhalPal - I wouldn't trade your more mature bulb. My guess is after the division the newer bulb will start a new growth after a couple of weeks. I would wait until you notice it for sure before trading. If it does not start a new growth, I would wait to trade next season. Keep your most mature bulbs for sure.

As for the S/H. I do a lot more than is necessary, it's the techy geek in me. I do check P/H, but if you use the correct fertilizer with the correct water, then it should be pretty good. Wait until you are comfortable before trying. I certainly have killed a few orchids trying to learn the intricacies of S/H. The reason it so important to know the Ph is with your starting water. If you are using R.O., rain, or distilled water, you need to use a different fertilizer than would be used with tap water. Otherwise you could get some very drastic Ph changes.

[jay]

I just edited an above post to reflect that Don1 will not be participating in the trade project anymore.

I still need to hear from Zuri and Arleneg.

Sruane has confirmed that she is ready to trade a back bulb. She was going to divide this past weekend.

[PhalPal]

Jay my more mature bulb (the one I bought in SD) is the one that is naked, the new bulb has the large growth. The growth pattern on these guys is really confusing!!!

I am hoping that this lack of activity in spring will mean an exciting growth this coming fall??? It was very healthy when the leaves fell off.
If I were to trade I would be sending out a small bulb with a large growth, about six leaves as of today. I would then be keeping a larger bulb with only a few small root nubs starting.

What the *!!* are these things doing????!!???

[jay]

Don't worry PhalPal. We can always trade later. My back bulb is just starting, my larger bulb started first and is about as big as your new growth. I think by the end of the year the two will catch up.

We could always plan on trading after they go into dormancy so that we can make sure we all have one that made it through the year.

What do the others in the project think. Divide and grow our divisions this year and send it out at the end of the season?

[sruane]

Hi Everyone,

I divided my bulb 2 days ago and would be happy to trade now (I only divided it for trading purposes). I would like to wait until a new growth starts from it. From the above post, it's unclear to me which bulb is the one for trading...the one that currently has no growth (original bulb) that I am waiting to sprout or the one that grew up last year and has a new growth on it right now.

Either way, as soon as the divided buld starts it growth, I would like to go ahead with trading, as the original plan.

Sara

[PhalPal]

Originally Posted by sruane

...... From the above post, it's unclear to me which bulb is the one for trading...the one that currently has no growth (original bulb) that I am waiting to sprout or the one that grew up last year and has a new growth on it right now......

So, Sara, your bulbs are following the same growth pattern as mine?!!? (growth from younger bulb) That makes me feel better!
And Jay, yours are doing the opposite if I have this correctly??
I am not even sure which one to call the 'backbulb.' If the backbulb is relative to what is not sprouting now, then my backbulb is my original bulb.
I am willing to trade whichever bulb I need to be fair to everyone and to stay with the program. I am going to divide today no matter what we decide to do.

What do you say we get some semantics straight now to avoid confusion later!!!

Since we are having inconsistent growth patterns we really can't use the word 'backbulb' and have it mean the same for all of us.
How about:
#1 'Original bulb' - the oldest bulb we own
#2 'Sprouting bulb' - what has the largest leafy growth on it now
#3 'Trading bulb' - whichever bulb we are willing to trade, designate either #1 or #2 above
#4 'Dormant Bulb' - bulb with no activity at all

I didn't give this much thought, so let's please revise this so it is clear to all of us. Since we are making up the rules as we go along, please make suggestions!!!

[zuri]

Hellooooooo Everyone! Sorry for my recent absence. I was without a computer and then I had a picture of my FDK on my iPhone that I was feeling a touch lazy about getting off of there... excuses, excuses.

Anyway, I started with the pic on the iPhone and then checked my email and found that I've missed quite a lot. Just for fun, I'm posting the pic of my FDK in its root-bound state, pre-repotting. Now the 'sprouting growth' (thank you, PhalPal) is twice as big as the biggest existing bulb. (should try to get a picture of that too.... here I go with my camera... annnnd we've got it. Now attached as well.)

Had my smallest bulb (visible in a picture on page 7 of this thread) shrivel up and virtually disappear, but have two healthy bulbs + the marvelous sprouting bulb for three healthy bulbs total.

Jay, you asked me whether I'd like to trade. I don't feel very well prepared for dividing, as I have never done it, and am basically stumbling along in the dark with a generally and otherwise green thumb leading the way. This said, if you think my FDK is a good candidate for dividing and someone wants to walk me through it, I would love to contribute to this wonderful project.

[PhalPal]

Hi Zuri!!! Your bulbs look fantastic!!!

My bulbs, both of them, are a bit shriveled and are not firming up no matter how much I water them. I repotted a month ago but did not divide them. I am going to divide today
and put them in separate pots; maybe this will help.

Zuri is your 'sprouting bulb' also your 'original bulb'???

[zuri]

Hi PhalPal!

I think I took the idea of a 'sprouting bulb' too literally and thought that my newest (still forming) bulb is the sprouting one. But now I understand. Nope, it appears that it is last year's growth that's "sprouting" the new growth. So I should rephrase:

I have two older bulbs and one that is growing up right now. The oldest bulb, to my best knowledge, is the smaller of the two older ones featured in the pics above. Which means that the 'original bulb' is the one that shriveled up and disappeared.

Do I have this right?

[PhalPal]

So Zuri you are saying you had three bulbs at one time and now you have two because the first bulb you ever owned died?????

AARRGGAAAGGH!!!!!!!!

[zuri]

Wellllllll...

When I received this orchid as a fabulous Christmas gift, it had three bulbs. One very small one, one medium, and one larger. The medium and larger bulbs are visible in the pictures above.

I'm posting a pic to show what I think was the "original" bulb - i.e., the first and oldest bulb belonging to this particular plant. It was much smaller than the others and then after the dormant period it pretty much shriveled up and disappeared. I can't even see it in my pot anymore.

So, yep, I guess what I'm trying to say is that I used to have three bulbs but now I have two because the oldest and smallest one died. ! It was but a wee thing... and the others are so healthy that I'm not too worried about it.

[sruane]

These bulbs are confusing!

Ok Phalpal, I think we have the same growth pattern, which seems good.

I am not as far along in my new growth as everyone else looking at pics, my new growth (on bulb that was the new growth last year) is only about 1 inch tall and throwing out roots but is getting bigger daily.

I was planning (if this is ok by everyone) to take the oldest bulb (aka original bulb), wait for it to grow something new now that it is potted on its own and then send that one off for the trade. The only reason I have a preference is because I potted the part I planned to keep in a heavy clay pot that I would need to re-pot again for shipping, since it would be too heavy and potted the other one (trade bulb) in a plastic pot for shipping. But I am happy to do whatever people think is best/fairest.

I'm not entirely sure it matters either way though, b/c whichever I keep and whichever gets sent out will have an older, leafless bulb and then a younger growing bulb, correct? And I assume it would be the same for everyone else on that matter?

Sara

[zuri]

Oh, and PhalPal... I didn't do anything special with my FDK such that my bulbs look nice and healthy. I followed the culture sheet and increased light once I saw new growth. I used a florescent "Orchid Light" from Home Depot that I kept pretty close to the new growth until it got warm enough here to put it outside. Maybe yours would benefit from some extra light?

[PhalPal]

Zuri I have had it under T5's all year at close range. Light is definately not the problem. I am going to try a different medium recipe and put the divided bulbs in bigger pots like Jay has done. Thinking about it a little bit, I shouldnt have expected the bulbs to plump yet because my roots are still quite immature and incapable of giving the bulbs much water. My root system is no where near your's yet. I will know more once I break open that pot!!!

[zuri]

Aaah, immature roots explain it all! Your bulbs will plump up soon enough.

[jay]

This thread got very confusing very quickly. I apologize now for the longer post. It will be in several parts.

Dividing - I am no expert in dividing these plants. This is actually the first full year that I have had any of these. I have read dozens of pages from just as many sites about when and how to divide, but I don't think I can say it applies to all. I will tell you what I did:
When the new growth started and was ready to be re-potted, I used a sterilized tool to cut between the two leafless bulbs. I was really cutting in the dark and guessing of how to do this, but it worked. About 2-3 weeks after the division, the smaller leafless bulb started a new growth. This is the bulb that I actually bought, not grew.

Which bulb to trade:
When we got the plants, there was a bulb (maybe 2) that were without leaves. From the largest of these there was a new active growth for each of us. These got to be quite large. At the end of the season this new large bulb lost its leaves as well. I think we should all keep the largest bulb for ourselves since the next growth after that should be the one to flower. The bulb that last years growth came from with the one we would trade. They should all be about 4-6 inches tall. Ideally, we would send them when the new growth starts, but I don't care if I get one without a new growth yet. I feel comfortable waiting for it to start.

PhalPal - You might want to keep both for a little while to make sure your larger bulb does in fact start a new growth. Your smaller bulb that is growing rapidly right now should produce a growth that is about the same size as your largest bulb. After dividing, the larger bulb should start a new growth. This is where I would expect flowering to occur, on the newest larger bulb.

I am not sure if I answered any questions or created new ones.

[sruane]

Jay,

Your post makes perfect sense to me and follows what was my plan.

I certainly have no growths on the bulb I just divided, but am happy to send it or wait until it does have a growth, whatever the person I am sending to wants. I'm also happy to get a bulb with a growth or without and wait for it myself.

So I am ready whenever everyone else is!

Sara

[PhalPal]

Originally Posted by jay

This thread got very confusing very quickly.

That is quite an understatement!!!

I finally divided mine today and this is what I found:

1) Old roots left on the plant from last season do indeed plump up and start new little spring green root tips. I wasn't quite sure what to do with all those straw-dry roots from last year, so I cut some off and kept some. So, another thing learned about this orchid! The roots revive.
2) They are just as much a bear to divide as they were to repot. I didn't know what I was doing either, so I untangled all the actively growing roots with those cute little green tips I talked about and then cut the bulbs apart. This sounds simple but took about 2 1/2 hours.
3) My bulb with the leafy growth has lots of new roots and the leaves are very healthy. I am still not comfortable with the bulb being shriveled, regardless of the immature roots. I have no doubt this one will be fine eventually.
4) The 'original bulb' is showing few signs of life. There are no new roots or growths coming from the base of the bulb, however some of those old roots I kept on the plant have some tiny green tips. The root mass is about 1/4 of the other bulb.
My reluctance to trade right now is that I don't want to trade a DUD to someone! All of your bulbs look better than mine. I want to be sure that the bulb I trade will continue to thrive and right now I'm a little nervous about the health of these guys. I did take pictures of the whole process but my card reader is not working. I need teckie hubby to come home from work and help me out.

So - pictures to follow and I want to know what you guys truthfully think. I want reassurance but need to know what is going wrong here???

[PhalPal]

Okay, so here are the pictures of my division and repot:

The first and second pictures are of the bulb my original bulb (newest bulb produced) produced last year, 1st divided and 2nd in its new pot.
3rd and 4th are measurements before dividing. (sorry the flash knocked out the numbers)
5th after division
6th and 7th are original bulb after division and potted in new pot.

For my record keeping:
The leafy growth is 8 3/4" tall on the small bulb, small bulb is 4" tall, original bulb is 5 3/4" tall.
The 'small bulb' is the one produced by the bulb I bought in San Diego in March 2008.
The 'original bulb' is the one I purchased in San Diego that started this whole thing.
Watering had been started on both bulbs before division when the roots on the small bulb reached almost 4" long.
Old roots that had been kept on the plant after dying off last year plumped up and started growing green root tips on both bulbs.
Divided and repotted on April 29, 2009 - watering will continue on small bulb with growth and roots, watering will stop on original bulb with no obvious live roots.
Medium is my custom RPM Cymbidium mix altered to approx: (65% small coco husks, 15% shredded coco husks, 10% small cork bits, 10% coir and handful of small perlite)

[sruane]

I think yours looks great PhalPal.

Maybe for those of us with a bulb to trade that hasn't started a new growth yet, we can just hold onto them until they do start growing and then trade them? I think Jay said his took ~ 2 weeks to start. Mine is very similar to yours in regard to how I did the division, although I didn't try and pry the roots from the medium (large bark) because the medium showed no signs of decomposition and I didn't want to damage any living roots. My roots were in a huge tangle too, it was a tedious process.

So I've not been watering the old, single bulb, since it doesn't have a new growth yet. Does this seem right?

[PhalPal]

Originally Posted by sruane

So I've not been watering the old, single bulb, since it doesn't have a new growth yet. Does this seem right?

Thanks for the encouragement Sara. Thankfully my media just fell away from the roots and I didn't have to go through much of that pickpickpick process again! Just untangling the roots without breaking tips was tedious enough.

Fred Clarke suggests we should wait for the hopeful roots to be 3-5 inches long before watering. What this means for me is that my growthless bulb was being watered because the bulb with roots and leaves met the criteria for it weeks ago. I don't know how this will effect its growth and now another reason why I don't feel comfortable passing it on to someone.

I think we are all going to learn more about these plants from this division process than we have in the last year. Everyone make sure you keep track of which bulb is which! I'm going to label them specially, keep pictures for the record on this thread and keep some notes of exactly what I did, because I will have it all confused in my head six months from now! (ah, come on, so will you!!)

[hulaorchid]

Phalpal it looks great! I will say it again you guys have such patience!!! Great growing!!!

[PhalPal]

Jacqui we haven't been given a choice!!!!! But thanks for the compliment!

[jay]

PhalPal - You did a great job dividing them. I don't think the plant getting a little water will hurt it at all. Hopefully in the next few weeks you will see growth on your new division.

[zuri]

Wow, I never thought about the other bulb either, or considered that maybe it shouldn't get water. In nature they'd all get water... right?

I am learning more about growing this particular orchid than I ever thought. Thanks to everyone for sharing their pictures and techniques. Can't wait to see what happens with yours, PhalPal. I think your divisions look great!

[jay]

I guess I just need to here from Arleneg. Here is a suggestion for trading, and I am open to other ideas. I will just list everyone that is ready to trade, and then we just pass it to the next number. That way everyone interested will be included.

Since I am not in a hurry, I will wait for PhalPal. I am a little tight on space right now anyway. That way if and when her plants are ready she can send one to me. Please offer any suggestions.

1. PhalPal (after the large bulb has started a substantial growth can send smaller bulb if interested, I can wait until end of season or whenever)
2. Jay (small trading bulb starting growth and roots)
3. Zuri (just divided)
4. Sruane (just divided)
5. Arleneg (if ready)


I think I got everyone and their current status. The plan would be that 1 sends to 2, 2 sends to 3, 3 sends to 4, 4 sends to 5, and 5 sends to 1. If Arleneg is not ready, then 4 will send to 1. I will send an email to Arleneg to see where she is standing for this trade.

Any suggestions, order change, plan change?

I can send my bulb at anytime if everyone agrees to this method or another proposed method. I couldn't think of another way to make it fair for everyone.

[sruane]

Hi Jay, I like your method, sounds good to me.

So then I would just want to know if Arleneg would want me to send immediately (or to you PhalPal if she is not ready) as a bare bulb, no new growth or wait until the new growth starts up and then send it.

For Zuri, who would be sending to me, I don't mind getting it bare at all with no new growth yet.

Sara

[PhalPal]

Do all of you think I am being a little too careful here??? I mean, if the rest of you are comfortable sending out your bulbs to someone else without any growth I guess I can do the same.
I grow phals and cyms; I am not used to dormancy or having healthy roots and leaves just die and fall off!!! I am REALLY not used to the main bulb shriveling up and then sitting there silently.

I am not a nervous nellie; I just don't want to be the person nobody will want to trade with in the future because I sent them a bad bulb. To send mine out right now, growthless, feels to me like sending a phal with rotten roots. I do think both of my bulbs will be okay but I can't guarantee it, especially since all of ours are behaving in different ways.

[jay]

I heard from Arlene, and I am waiting to here if she is dividing now. I think she will be ready to trade soon.

PhalPal - I would hate to take your larger bulb, even though it is bare. I think the growth that should soon develop from the larger bulb will be the one to flower. The growths from our smaller bulbs did not, and I do not expect them to bloom this year with the new growths. That is why I thought if you want to wait to ensure you have a good growth on your larger bulb, you could then decide which one you wanted to send off. I am not worried at all and I don't think anyone would hold it against you if it didn't start a new growth. I think we are all in the same boat of experimentation and seeing what happens.

[zuri]

PhalPal,
I think that this type of orchid is very vigorous and resilient. Those pbulbs store so much starch, water, and nutrients--enough to get them through a long dormancy. So I don't think you should worry too much.

I'll be traveling next week for business. When do we plan on sending each other bulbs?

[jay]

I can wait until you are back from traveling. I would say by then we should know exactly how we are going to do this and who.

[jay]

Well, on Saturday I began watering the rest of the seedlings. That was a chore. They are looking good and I can't wait for another month to pass so they the look like actual plants. There are three that look much larger then the other because they have been out of dormancy for a month already. They are growing so fast even as these little seedlings.

[patticake]

They look so cute in their s/h! Nice growing, Jay!

[sruane]

Hi Everyone,

I just got a message from Zuri, who is ready to trade and send a bulb to me. What is everyone else's status? I would be happy to send my bulb off to Arleneg now if that's what we are ready to do.

Sara

[PhalPal]

Sara mine have not changed other than the leafy growth getting taller on last years backbulb.
My original bulb is still sitting there. Sulking. Protesting. Just being difficult.

[jay]

I sent my bulb this week. I wrote Arleneg an email and she was going to check the forum. I have not heard back from her. Try sending her an email through her profile so she can give you her address.

PhalPal, just wait, I will talk to you on Thursday.

[arleneg]

Originally Posted by sruane

Hi Everyone,

I just got a message from Zuri, who is ready to trade and send a bulb to me. What is everyone else's status? I would be happy to send my bulb off to Arleneg now if that's what we are ready to do.

Sara

Hi Sara,

Sorry for the delay. It's been rather rough the last couple weeks or so for me...still is. Right now, my mind is rather cloudy...just pushing through right now.

At any rate, I haven't divided my Fdk, yet, but will do tomorrow (May 14th) or Sunday. It's already sitting on the table where I do my dividing/potting.

After quickly reading all the posts from late April 'til now, I don't mind trading without any new growth.

Right now, the best way to get in touch with me is by email, which I can check on my mobile phone and wherever I am.

I'll PM you my number in a few minutes.

Thanks for your patience!

[myorchid]

Arlene
I hope all is well with you. I am thinking of you and hope to have you back on the forum soon!

Take Care!

[solay]

Hi Arlene. Nice to hear from you. Can you PM me your e-mail too. I am planing a local geek get together one of these days and want you to join us. Thanks. Hope things will improve for you soon.

[arleneg]

April -- I'll probably be here more often once school is out.

Cindy -- I'd love to join the geek gathering. I'll send you my email soon. Btw, I'll be in Vallejo this Saturday (May 16th) at Marine World (a.k.a. Discovery Kingdom), then will visit my parents.

[jay]

Update on my large bulb.

I thought this thing grew fast last year. Holy cow is this thing taking off. It is already bigger than my last years bulb and it is only May! The ruler in the picture is a 15 in/ 38 cm ruler. The leaves are much broader and fuller this year too. Oh I can't wait for fall to come.

[PhalPal]

Wow Jay it looks great!!!!!!

I showed it to mine and they are hanging their wee little bulbs in shame.

[myorchid]

Wow!! That looks amazing. Will you have to put it in a larger pot?

[zuri]

Nice growing, Jay. It looks great!

Your bulb came yesterday and is looking pretty good. Thanks for all the great supplies. I'll take some pics when I get back from Atlanta (will be getting on plane soon)--at the end of this week.

Sruane, I shipped yours at the end of this week - should be arriving soon.

[sruane]

Hi Zuri, just wanted to let you know my bulb arrived safely today, thanks!

I sent mine to Arlene on Sat., so she should be getting hers soon.

Sara

[PhalPal]

Originally Posted by PhalPal

My original bulb is still sitting there. Sulking. Protesting. Just being difficult.

Well he decided to wake up!!! I have a tiny growth on my original bulb!!!!! I will take a picture when it is larger thatn a nub. I'm so relieved he survived the divison!!!

[jay]

Great news. I really hope that it catches up and flowers this year.

[flowerchild]

I wished I lived in the states, so I could get in on these projects too!!!!!

[arleneg]

Last Tuesday, I got my trade bulb from Sara. It has a little new growth. I took a pic of it, but haven't uploaded it to my 'puter. I'll do that sometime later.

Connie -- I finally divided mine! Do you want me to send it to you this week or next? Would you prefer to wait for sign of new growth before I send it to you? Just let me know.

[zuri]

Congrats to arleneg and PhalPal on their new growths! Yay!

Glad the bulb made it safely, Sruane. I hope it produces a new growth for you soon!

Jay, the bulb you sent me is growing nicely and has sent out many nice, fleshy roots that are making their way to the bottom of the cup. Looking good! Will take some pics a bit later...

[jay]

Zuri, Glad to hear that it is doing well. I can't wait to see a photo update.

Here is my update. The ruler in the picture is a 15 inch ruler, and it is being dwarfed by this thing. Take a look at the roots. Do you think it likes the S/H?


How is everyone else's large bulbs looking? I will post pictures of the seedlings tomorrow.

[arleneg]

Phalpal...Connie...are you here? Let me know when you want me to send you my Fdk. After Dark back bulb.

I'll be leaving for vacation on June 27th. So if you want it before then, let me know now...or after that week.

[jay]

Ok, here are the seedlings. The first 5 or so to come out of dormancy were the largest bulbs, and now have the largest growths.

The rest are coming along nicely. These are grown under T5 bulbs only, no natural light. Not enough room in the window.

[arleneg]

Jay,

Are those ziplock storage containers? I've thought about using those, but thought they're a bit shallow and wide. I guess it works.

[jay]

They are food storage containers I got online.

[zuri]

Alas, I have finally gotten out the camera and snapped some pictures of the 'chids. Here's jay's bulb. It's very happy and loves the s/h method just as much as I do. Thanks for turning me onto this, Jay. I'm considering moving more orchids to this method, and perhaps the other FDK AD as well.

[jay]

Congrats. It looks great! Don't you just love watching the roots go crazy in there. I bet you can pick it up by the plant with out the media moving. It really will pack in there.

[zuri]

I DO love watching the roots go crazy in there. Some of the older roots have died off like I think your post about S/H said would happen, but the new roots love the setup. It drains the water about every second day. Thanks again for the great bulb, materials, and new growing experience.

How are everyone else's bulbs faring?

[mayres]

How about an update on the original three plants - I'm REALLY curious how they are all doing!!!!!!

[Ochin@]

Originally Posted by mayres

How about an update on the original three plants - I'm REALLY curious how they are all doing!!!!!!

So am I, how are they doing??

[sruane]

Hey Everyone,

So my original bulb has a huge big leafy growth. My trade bulb from Zuri has a leafy growth but it is much smaller than my original bulb. If I had to guess I would think that the original could flower this year, while the trade bulb might need another year still.

Sara

[jay]

Hello. It has been brought to my attention that I have been slacking in my updates of the original Fdk. After Dark project as well as the seedlings that I deflasked 18 months and that many of you share. Thanks for the nudge Mike, I need it.

So here are a couple of different shots of my original Fdk. After Dark. Keep in mind that is not a 12 inch ruler, but a 15 inch (38 cm) ruler that the plant is dwarfing. It still has 10 leaves, but has appeared to stop growing for this season. I think it is still plumping up a little as it prepares for the winter. No signs of spikes yet, but that shouldn't happen until October/November from my understanding.

How are everyone else's large bulbs doing?

[jay]

And now for the seedlings. I have a huge range in size and growing stage on these. They didn't all wake up at the same time. I have a few that are monsters, over 6 inches tall, and some that are barely chugging along at just a couple of inches tall.

Pict 1 - This is a group shot of all the After Dark seedlings

Pict 2 & 3 - Two of my larger ones. These are nearly 6" (15 cm) tall.

Pict 4 - one of the smaller ones

Pict 5 & 6 - These were the last 5 to wake up. (Jenny, one is for you since yours lost its growth during shipment. Should be cool enough to ship soon. And Jacqui, I'll hold on for you too since yours was eaten by a bug. )


If you look around in the group photo, you can see there are several that are much smaller.

These are all grown in a very stable environment. They are grown in an indoor clear plastic greenhouse.

Temp 70 - 82 F
Humidity 70-85%
S/H
MSU type fertilizer
Under T5 bulbs
2 PC cooling fans for air circulation on 24 hrs a day


Enjoy! I look forward to hearing how all the little seedlings are doing out there. As you can see they should be still growing or in the swelling stage, but still getting full watering.

[myorchid]

Wow those are amazing! I wish mine was that big! Though mine is growing well. The new growth is bigger than the pseudobulb.

I just ordered some s/h supplies and am going to try my Ctsm in it! Any tips??