Deflasking Paphiopedilum

[Bolero]

Hi guys, I bought a flask of Paph helenae ‘Crown’ x Yosemite Moon ‘C.H. #4’ yesterday and got it discounted due to the flask being shaken up and needing to be potted up straight away. I haven't had a lot of luck with Cattleya hybrids needing deflasking so I am trying something different with the Paphs this time.

I have 22 seedlings, all of them have been potted into individual 2 inch pots. The mix consists of fine bark, perlite, a small amount of charcoal. With two pots due to the plants having a lack of roots I have put them into sphagnum moss and perlite (sponge rock).

I have watered them with rain water and haven't given any fertiliser (and I won't at this stage). I have brought them inside my home and have misted the leaves lightly as well to keep humidity up. I have them in a seedling tray and have put the tray into a plastic box.

Should I mist regularly? Should I leave the lid off or on the plastic box to keep humidity up? Can I water more often than with normal plants or should I be more careful with watering? Have a planted them to deep?

Any suggestions are appreciated, I really want to have some success with these. Photos of them are as follows:









Thanks

Darren

[kmarch]

Looks good! The box is a good idea to keep the humidity up. I'd keep them indoors at least for the time being as I think we're in for some cool nights here for the next few days. I think I'd be inclined ot keep the lid on but not fastened down tight, in other words somewhat closed to raise the humidity a little but still open a crack to keep fresh air circulating. Make sense? Also if you keep them in the tub, you can mist the sides fo the tub to raise the humidity rather than spraying directly on the leaves.

Did you use that ...um that stuff...I can't remember what you told me it was called, the Aussie equivalent of Physan. Did you use some fo that when you deflasked?

[patticake]

They look great! A great orchid geek told me to remove the cover for a bit each day, lengthening the time each day, to get them acclimated to their surroundings rather quickly. She gave me great advice, as mine are doing well one year later. I spray my bark medium each morning. That's how I water them.. here's a link to mine...

My de-flasking of the babies

[Bolero]

Thanks guys!!! Spraying the sides sounds like a great idea. I haven't had a chance to mix up the Mancozeb yet Kevin but when I mist tomorrow I plan to spray a small amount. Hopefully that's not to late for them, they look pretty healthy out of the bottle.......I will give you one of them if they decide to grow for me. I know what you mean by leaving a crack and I've done that as well now.

Thanks Patticake, the idea of taking the cover off a bit longer each day is a good idea. I will do just that. If I can keep the humidity up and warmth until these cool nights pass by they will hopefully be ok.

That's been a great help guys!

P.S. Sorry I can't give you one too Patticake.......;-)

[kmarch]

They DO look quite healthy and vigorous which is always a BIG help. Thanks for the kind offer and I'll of course definitely take you up on it. Once I get my stuff deflasked we'll have to have a little swap party. LOL

[Bolero]

Yep sounds like a plan to me. I ended up getting more flasks than I planned too.

Fingers crossed they all work out.

[Ron]

Hi Daren. Good luck with the plants.
What ever way you choose to do, hope all works well for you.
Personally I always community pot mine in 4 inch Sq squat pots 3/4 full of 15mm bark.
I then top off with a thin layer of 5mm bark and sit up to 9 plants per pot.
Fill up to bottom of the plant, just covering the roots.
Fungrid them, then place in a cover container for about 3 days then slowly remove the cover over the next week or so.
I leave for up to 12 months or next spring then repott into 2inch Sq pots using 10mm bark.
Works very well for me.
As for watering.
I love using the rain water and for the first month or so just mist the plants leaves heavily to run off stage.Trying to keep the top layer just moist.
first year I only fertilizer using very week organic fertilizer about every 3rd. watering.
My last 2 flasks arrived in may and I carried them indoors through winter and now they are powering away
Best of luck
Ron

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by Ron

...Fungrid them, ...

Is this, "Fungrid" a kind of fungicide you use on seedlings here in Australia?

[Ron]

Is this, "Fungrid" a kind of fungicide you use on seedlings here in Australia?

Hi Kevin.
Its freely available at Bunnings and most big nursurys.
I have used it for over 15 years or so, never had any problems with it effecting the growth of seedlings and may I say, never had any fungal problems or any dampening off of seedling.
Always use protective mask and clothing.
Good growing
Ron

[Bolero]

Will Mancozeb work as well Ron?

So Fungrid would be a systemic. I will get some and make sure i'm careful with it.

Thanks again guys!

Day 1 and no rot so far......

[kmarch]

I had a chat with Nicky Zurcher today Darren and he recommended Mancozed. I'm going to look for both next time I go. It sounds like we have a couple good options.

[Ron]

So Fungrid would be a systemic.

that is correct.

I had a chat with Nicky Zurcher today Darren and he recommended Mancozed.

.
I have never used Mancozed, so I can not comment on it.
I was put onto Fungrid by a nursery who did a lot of deflasking, I took his word and it workls for me.
Nicky would also have a very good knowledge of other fungicides he uses.
Good growing
Ron

[dave64]

top post boys lots of great info

[Bolero]

Thanks for looking into that Kevin, I am sure both products work well.

Day 2 and still no rot! I put them outside in the shade but opened the lid in the open air while it was warm. The fresh breeze would be good for them I hope.

I have sprayed a mild amount of mancozeb on there, I have to say I'm not sure if I have put enough or not but I put about 1/4 of the recommended dose.

Fingers crossed.

;-)

[patticake]

Sounds like it's going well! Just be careful that they don't dry out too much in that fresh breeze! I'm still keeping mine inside under lights where I can control temp, etc., I have a small fan on in the room to keep the air moving, but not right on them. I like the individual containers, as there won't be any spreading of rot, (if there is any) but they do dry out quickly. I sure wish we could do a trade, also! I totally understand the laws, but wish there was a way to get special permission for something like a plant trade with out having to pay CITES, etc...-We'll just have to admire each others' plants from afar! I'm sending good luck vibrations over there!

[Bolero]

I have mine just along from a central heating vent during the night inside my home. That way they don't get the direct air but the do get some air movement at night when the heating comes on. I leave them mostly covered and mist the sides as recommended. So far so good I guess.

Thanks patticake for the vibrations.....;-). Yes it is a shame we can't trade, I mean what could possibly be transferred across these days?

Anyway, we have something to look forward in seeing each others plants in the future.

[Bolero]

Hey guys, I just realised there was actually a deflasking forum I should have used for this.

Anyway, I thought you should know 16 days and no losses. The plants are looking healthy. Might be time to put them outside in the shade house. What do you think?

[Stelios]

i'm not sure about getting them outside. I think the season is not yet fully changed and it might be too cold, but on the other hand paphs are supposed to like cool temps (most of them at least). I think it's your call. I would personally say wait a couple of weeks.

[Ron]

Anyway, I thought you should know 16 days and no losses. The plants are looking healthy. Might be time to put them outside in the shade house. What do you think?

Hi good to see all is still going very well, as for putting them outside.
If you have a sheltered covered area in the shade house it should be ok.
Try to take them inside at night if temp looks like dropping below 10C, just to be on the safe side.
They will love the fresh air and rain water on them if it is possible to water them with rain.
Best of luck as it is a very rewarding hobby growing from flasks, I await 5 flasks of Cymbids mericlones this week.
Cheerio
Ron

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by Stelios

...on the other hand paphs are supposed to like cool temps (most of them at least).

Some paphs, especially the Chinese paphs and others like villosum and insigne, and the big Exhibition paphs do well in, and in some cases even need cooler conditions but this is not the case with all paphs or even most of them. The Maudiae-type species and hybrids, the multiflorals, and most others are all intermediate growers.

[Bolero]

It's an 'exhibition type' hybrid crossed with helenae so it should be ok in coolish conditions as long as it doesn't get too cold. I might wait another week or two though as we have a couple of cool nights around 7C coming up. Won't be long though, it's pretty amazing to get this far.

Oh and I have just discovered a Fumi's Gold x micranthum coming into sheath so in the next few months hopefully I can post that one on here.

Things are going well. I am deflasking two more lots this weekend so wish me luck!

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by Bolero

Oh and I have just discovered a Fumi's Gold x micranthum coming into sheath

Is this the one I egged you on to buy from Nicky?

Originally Posted by Bolero

Things are going well. I am deflasking two more lots this weekend so wish me luck!

What are you deflasking this weekend?