Heating mat

[RebelCowgirl]

I will be soon deflasking L. purpurata 'Schuster' and was wondering if a heating mat is necessary for the seedlings? I will be placing them in 3 inch compots and placing them in a flat with a propagation dome then into a propagation tent. What are your recommendations?

[Ray]

Someone recommended using a heating mat for all transplants, including ex-flask, and I have followed it religiously since.

The logic being that by elevating the temperature, you increase the metabolic rate, hence growth.

[Stitz]

Thanks, Ray.

I understand the logic. What about night temps? Did you turn the mat off??

See you on Monday!

--Stitz--

[RebelCowgirl]

Originally Posted by Stitz

Thanks, Ray.

I understand the logic. What about night temps? Did you turn the mat off??

See you on Monday!

--Stitz--

That is a good question Stitz, I never thought of that.
Also what exactly is damping off and what should I look for?

[Ray]

No, I don't turn it off, Stitz. The plants are usually on the mat for no more than 2-3 weeks, so I've never seen any issues.

Jenny - "Damping off" is the killing of seedlings by the growth of any number of fungi. I think it is more common in soils than orchid media, but as they grow faster in warm, moist conditions, it's always worth keeping an eye out for infections, which usually appear as fuzzy growths. I spray with dilute Physan to control it, but if you make up a cinnamon "tea", that's pretty effective too.

[RebelCowgirl]

Thank you so much Ray for your help. My flash should be arriving shortly and I want to be prepared. This is my first de-flasking and I'm so excited to give it a try.

[Etugan]

Originally Posted by Ray

Jenny - "Damping off" is the killing of seedlings by the growth of any number of fungi. I think it is more common in soils than orchid media, but as they grow faster in warm, moist conditions, it's always worth keeping an eye out for infections, which usually appear as fuzzy growths. I spray with dilute Physan to control it, but if you make up a cinnamon "tea", that's pretty effective too.

Hi Ray could you please elaborate a little bit on the cinnamon tea to control damping off ?

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Etugan

Hi Ray could you please elaborate a little bit on the cinnamon tea to control damping off ?

Sorry, just got back from a speaking engagement out-of-town, to find no internet connection at home!!!!

If you soak cinnamon powder in isopropyl rubbing alcohol or water, chemnicals are extracted, and you form a cinnamaldehyde solution. Cinnamaldehyde is a fungicide and mild bactericide.

The water extract is "gentler" than the alcohol version, as the alcohol can dry thing out if overused, so might be a less favorable choice for seedlings (alcohol is a good insecticide, though.)

[NBAMA]

How much cinnamon to alcohol? Whats the best/proper ratio?

[Ray]

I think it's probably self-limiting, solubility-wise, but I do the following:

Put 1 tablespoon cinnamon powder in a pint bottle of isopropyl rubbing alcohol, shake well, and let stand for 24 hours. Filter out sediment (I use a coffee filter), and return the brown liquid to the alcohol bottle, to which I add a spray head, and it's ready to use.

If you want to make the water infusion instead, double the cinnamon, start with boiling water, and let stand for several days.

[NBAMA]

Thanks Ray.

[Etugan]

Hi Ray, no worries we all are busy.
Thanks for the explanation I like this idea more than using other chemicals to combat fungus.

Does the alcohol evaporate or is there still some alcohol in the solution ?

Cheers.

[Ray]

Your question makes me thing you misunderstood something: you can make the extract with either solvent - water or alcohol. There is no advantage to mixing the two.

Both the alcohol and the water will evaporate after application.