Seedlings

[exasperatus2002]

I know this is one of those basic questions Im sure I know the answer but I stall have to ask, Other then difference in lighting, is there much difference deflasking & hardening off Phalaenopsis hybrid seedlings vs. Cattleya hybrid seedlings? It's exciting to finally deflask my baby Catt's. Big Leaf has a good selection of Phal's in flask. They regularly have a cross with one of my favorite Phal's, Star of Dixie 'Riverside'. I wanted just P. Star of Dixie 'Riverside', but even with B.L's help, I couldnt find anyone with one they're willing to part with. So Im stuck at some point buying a flask of its hybrid progeny.
For example-
Phal ((tetraspis X hieroglyphica) X Star of Dixie 'Riverside') [F10-17f] - $85.00 : Big Leaf Orchids, Fragrant and Novelty Phalaenopsis

[Ron]

I know this is one of those basic questions Im sure I know the answer but I stall have to ask, Other then difference in lighting, is there much difference deflasking & hardening off Phalaenopsis hybrid seedlings vs. Cattleya hybrid seedlings?

My Catts & Phalls are de-flasked and placed straight into the same growing area along side mature plants.

As the Catts get older that a few years they will demand more light then Phallies

[orchids4me]

Hi,
I don't have a greenhouse to doit the way Ron does. I use seedling trays with the green house lids for the first week after potting them up in the trays I put the lid on for a week then the next week I crack an end about 1/4 inch to let air in and it still stys warm and humid but air flow ( slight ) gets in for them to adjust. Then the next week about a 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch sliding over after a few days of this the media may start to dry a bit soo keep watch incase you need to water at this point. After a week of this I start removing the lid a few hrs at a time then back on. And on at night for sure and lengthening the time as the week goes on by the 3rd week going on the 4th week in there by how the babies are doing definatly by 4th week lid is off with all the other plants. Also while I'm cracking the lid I'm gradually increasing light a window at first moving it closer and getting back lighting from my lights with the older babies on the shelves. So by the time a month has come they are open. And still introducing them to more light after the lid is off. Just monitor them as you go.
Hope this helps
Emmaye

[exasperatus2002]

Originally Posted by orchids4me

Hi,
I don't have a greenhouse to doit the way Ron does. I use seedling trays with the green house lids for the first week after potting them up in the trays I put the lid on for a week then the next week I crack an end about 1/4 inch to let air in and it still stys warm and humid but air flow ( slight ) gets in for them to adjust. Then the next week about a 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch sliding over after a few days of this the media may start to dry a bit soo keep watch incase you need to water at this point. After a week of this I start removing the lid a few hrs at a time then back on. And on at night for sure and lengthening the time as the week goes on by the 3rd week going on the 4th week in there by how the babies are doing definatly by 4th week lid is off with all the other plants. Also while I'm cracking the lid I'm gradually increasing light a window at first moving it closer and getting back lighting from my lights with the older babies on the shelves. So by the time a month has come they are open. And still introducing them to more light after the lid is off. Just monitor them as you go.
Hope this helps
Emmaye

Thanks. Thats what I've been doing with my Catt's but am checking about Phal's. If anyone has Star of Dixie, I'll send you a bottle of keiki pro........