Deflasking in Winter?

[Forever-mango]

I purchased a flask of Paph. venustum fma. album 'MH-1' x sibling 'Miao Hua' BM/TPS from Royal Orchids Opening day 2 weeks ago. The leaves of larger flasklings are almost reaching the top of the flask. I was told to keep them warm for another month until the weather becomes warmer. I see there is some liquid in the flasks and some roots are growing out of the agar jelly. Should I reflask them now, or is it best to leave it for warmer weather?

Hopefully they looks like this when they grow up


Kind regards
Stephen

[kmarch]

There are 2 views on this:
1) One view is that it doesn't matter when you deflask as long as the seedlings receive the conditions they need. If you can protect them from extreme conditions deflasking can be done any time.
2) The other view is that deflasking should be done in the spring so that by the time winter rolls around the seedlings are acclimated to your growing area and are prepared for winter.

I don't have any statistics on this, but it seems to me that those who grow orchids which enjoy distinct seasons like Aussie natives, nobile-type dendrobiums, etc., favor the second view while those that grow orchids that don't seem to require strong seasons like most phals and most paphs favor the first.

I have deflasked paphs in September and in....um....I think it was March. It sounds like your paphs are healthy. Any sign of leaves dying off or anything like that? Paph venustum is usually grown cold here in Melbourne, that means strong seasons which would suggest a spring deflasking. So it kind fo depends on what you have to offer it.

[tansyflower]

I think Ron has grown paphs from flasks. I know he has a heap of them and that he deflasks a heap of phallies.

Maybe PM him, so he doesn't miss the thread.

[Forever-mango]

Kev, some of the bottom leaves have browned when I purchased them.

But new growths are showing from the base and the top.

The roots are very healthy and fluffy.

[kmarch]

It sounds like they're really healthy and that there's no urgent need to deflask them. You have time to see what Ron and others have to say. If you deflask now do you have a place you can keep them protected?

[Forever-mango]

If I deflask now, i can place them indoors with my other Paphs which are growing under artificial lighting. But the room sometimes get quite cold during the night, so i guess i would leave it until its spring before deflasking.

[plucker]

If the flask is OK with no bad stuff like algae/mould/bacteria etc then you can leave as long as you like.

If the plants start to go white like they are dying, or the flask becomes contaminated then deflask.

The longer the plants remain in the flask the quicker they will grow when they are removed. This will help with survival rates too.

Just dont let the plants outgrow the flask before releasing them.

Deflasking in Spring will help their survival rates and make your life easier too.

I have deflasked in the middle of winter with no bad effects because the plants were big enough.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by Forever-mango

the room sometimes get quite cold

How cold?

[Forever-mango]

The room temp is usually around 20-25*C (because of the computer and the Metal Halide lighting over the fish tank), but at night time, it gets to 15-18*C.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by Forever-mango

But the room sometimes get quite cold during the night,

Originally Posted by Forever-mango

The room temp is usually around 20-25*C ...but at night time, it gets to 15-18*C.

This is not cold. These are intermediate to warm temperatures. It might feel "quite cold" cold to you but it's not cold for the orchids.

When we talk about cold, cool, intermediate, and warm temperatures, do you know what we mean by that?

[Forever-mango]

Cool being (Max. Day temp 27*C - Min. Night 10*C)

Intermediate (Max. Day temp 30*C - Min. Night 13*C)

Warm (Max. Day temp 32*C - Min. Night 15*C)