Seedling care

[arleneg]

About two weeks ago, I acquired a Den. smilliae seedling. Since then, I've watered it twice and misted it daily. Today, I noticed it seems to be drying out a little (wrinkling and wilting leaves...but roots looks good). I really want to keep this tiny thing and see it grow and bloom. What is the proper care (watering schedule, temp, humidity, etc.) for a seedling?

By the way, it's in a bark and perlite medium...2-inch pot.

[Carl Baptista]

Arlene,

Seedlings are rather unusual... they need care and patience but they dont want disturbance.

I buy seedlings from australia... and my tried and tested method works a treat for me.

I wrap the roots with "quails egg" size of spag moss... of course i sterilize the spag moss wet in a microwave for 8 minutes before us. Make sure it has cooled before applying to the roots.

Then i use old coconut husk... which is basically old coconuts ripped up (with a big meat cleaver) and soaked overnight. 1 coconut can easily do 12-15 seedlings. the coconut husks are cut into 1" by 1/2" pieces and 4 or these are used to hold the spag moss and roots. This sort of makes a nice small "coconut husk" pot without a bottom to it. Yopu alter the sizes depending on the root lenghts of your seedlings.

Then i tie this quite tightly and and attach a wire to hang it up. the roots grow out through the 4 joins of the coconut husks and especially out the bottom too... this will take 6-8 months.

I place my seedling in Direct sunlight for 2-4 hours a day (morning sun only)... but i am sure you could run 50-60% sunlight for longer than what i do.
But no more than this.... otherwise sunburn will get to you. "Less is more" if you are not sure as seedlings will not be flowering for at least 1-2 years so let those leaves go dark green first then increase the sunlight intensity!

I love my seedlings and have several species (i detest hybrids) and about 35-38 healthy seedling all wrapped snugly in cocnut husk and hung from every availiable space!

If you need some pictures of this, please email me at carl_baptista@yahoo.com

Thanks

Carl

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

OK, this plant is in Bakers book on Dendrobiums. It is an intermediate grower all year. Wet while growing. Close to dry before watering in winter, but don't leave it dry for any length of time. Leaves are deciduous after about a year, so this leaf loss is probably normal. 1800-2500fc, that is a little less light than Cattleyas, and just a little more that Phals. There is a comment that the plant blooms while very small, while only a few inches tall. Well, have I covered everything? Personally, I think the mix it is in is OK.

[arleneg]

Carl,

Since I have coconut coir and have just bought sphag moss a few days ago, I'll have to try something similar to your method.

Cynthia,

I currently have the seedling under Phal light conditions. After I repot it in coconut coir and some sphag, I'll move it where the seedling can get 1800-2500 fc.

Thanks!

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

My mix, just in case you found a reference that was not complete, is three parts small perlite, 2 parts coursely sifted Canadian peat (or well washed coconut coir), and 3/4 c E. B. Stone dolomitic limestone per 1/2 cubic ft. This is the pre-treated limestone that is black granules, and is supposed to last longer (but at a lower effect) than straight limestone. It is needed to prevent the peat from making the mix too acidic, but coir may not be quite as much a problem. If you leave out the dolomite, note any stunting of your plants, as this is one of the effects of too acidic a mix.

[Carl Baptista]

Arlene,

The other option is to place the seedling pots on top of a wet sponge. In the past i have used a kitchen sponge (the ones u use to wash the plates with). Wet it until it cannot take anymore water. Then just place the orchid seedling pot directly on top of this wet sponge. The sponge slowly evaporates water and gives the plant a good amount of humidity. I find this works better than a water bath.... which ends up breeding flies and mosquitoes!

If the area is TOO dry the sponge will dry up. Then just re-wet and do this again!

But whether use coconut husk or other potting mediums, at the end of the day its just a preference not a rule. I found that cocnut husk works well for seeding for at least the first year... then they need to go into a pot. When the rotts extend they go into what i call the "potty phase". Which basically means they need to go into a pot! I use LECA and grow them semi-hydro! Most orchids (ESPECIALLY the Eulophiella's they just love it!) like Semi-hydro.... perhaps this may solve your watering woes!

Some of the orchid "fuddy duddies" do not agree with Semi-Hydro.... as for me whatever keeps them happy works for me!

I hope this works for you!

C.