The Before and After

[CharliesAngel51]

I finally re potted the seedlings that were given to me. First I soaked the whole pot for about 20 min. to loosen the medium from the roots. I was surprised at how easy the plants came loose when I turned the pot on it's side. After seperating the plants, I rinsed the roots to remove any med. still stuck to them. I then soaked them in a pan of water with some Superthrive. next I let them drain on some paper towels and then sprinkled with cinnamon. After all of that I potted them in a fine bark mixture. Now I will just wait and see how they do. Wish me luck.


Margaret

[digitalgate]

i would suggest separate in group of three. Not bad for a first timer.

[grandmapenguin]

You did a great job.
Terry

[lmartiny]

Thats a lot of plants you got. Good luck with them. By the way, do you special order that small bark mix? I only find the chunky stuff at the stores.

[CharliesAngel51]

.
Those seedlings were given to me by a friend last summer. It was suggested by the "experts" on this forum that I re pot them before the roots got too entangled. I was surprised at how easy they came out of the pot and by the condition of the roots. I was expecting to have to trim dead roots but there weren't any. Lucky me.
There were a couple of the PSBs that were a little dry looking but I potted them any how. I had the mix and the pot so why not.
Now all I have to do is be patient. I don't even know what kind of orchid they are. My friend didn't know either.

lmartiny, I found that orchid mix at Home Depot. It is " Orchid Grow Mix" by Gubler. I only found it at one Home Depot. I checked at two others and didn't find it. I have looked several places and hadn't been able to find anything suitable for those small plants. Couldn't find pots either but the plastic glasses worked ok. I just had to use a soldering iron to put holes in the bottom for drainage.
You are right, there are a lot of plants. Jerry guessed between 12 and 18 and there were 15. He was right on. I'm sure they won't all live but maybe some of them will.

Thanks to all for the kind words of encouragement.

Margaret

[christopher]

Wow those are nice seedlings,if you are lucky they will all grow and bloom, best of luck!

[jerrymeola]

Margaret do not be so sure they will not all live. I expect big things from your project.

Keep in mind that seedlings do not need as much light as older plants they certainly are not going to flower yet. Also they do not like to dry out for very long. Keep them on the moist side. Getting the moisture in the pot balanced and consistent is the trick with seedlings.

[Brooke]

You did a great job potting them up but I have to ask why and where did you sprinkle the cinnamon? Cinnamon is great to seal wounds because it dries the cut. BUT if applied to the roots, it will keep the roots from absorbing the moisture.

Please tell me I am worrying needlessly.

Brooke

[patticake]

They look great! Keep us posted!

[CharliesAngel51]

Brooke, No I didn't sprinkle cinn on the roots. Some of the plants were kind of growing together so I put cinn where I seperated them.

Jerry , thanks for all the advice. You were right on with your guess as to the number of plants, you said between 12 and 18 and there were 15. I will watch the moisture in them closely. I put skewers in each pot and also since the pots are clear I can see the color of the bark. I have them in front of an east facing window. They get filtered morning sun.

Patti, I will certainly keep you posted.

Thanks again for all the encouragement and advice.

Margaret

[patticake]

BTW- I have my seedlings of Paph. fairrieanum x sib in individual cups, too. I just watch them like a hawk. If there are more than one per pot, they can get tangled, and also if there's a disease, it will spread when they're together. Just MHO.

[CharliesAngel51]

I put all of the small cups on a glass tray so they are easier to move to the sink to water. It also serves as a drip plate. It is actually the tray from an old microwave. I knew I would find a use for it some day.LOL