update on my "Ellen" seeds

[patticake]

Here's some close-ups of my Bletilla striata seedlings. I know that there's a lot of algae, but I'm afraid that if I treat that, it will damage the seedlings. They're not doing much (for months!) but they're not dying, either! It's an experiment to see if they can be grown without the flasking process. Obviously, the flasking process is MUCH better, but I have about 30 or so that have made it so far. We'll see what happens! The first pic is of a ball-point pen next to it so you can get perspective.

[articuno75]

LoL! Looks like you threw rice in there to make it look like something is growing.

Seriously, are the seedlings pulling resources from the algae to feed? What are they using for nourishment?

[patticake]

I spray them now with whatever I'm spraying the big guys with. They're still on the wick that I originally had them on, also. I pulled a bit of the green furry stuff away from one of the seedlings and the furry stuff came and left the seedling there. that shows me that they have a tiny bit of stability! I'll do some more green stuff pulling in the next few days. This way they won't have to fight for their dinner!
If you click on the picture, you can sort of see that it IS a plant and not rice!
I'll try to take a better pic using my close-up lens later. It's a real pain to set up!

[jay]

I am far from an expert on this topic, but Physan 20 is not only anti-fungal but also can be an algaecide. I use it at one drop per gallon of water to try to control algae. I have just started this about a week ago and have seen a little algae die off.

You could always contact the company. They were very helpful when I called them to ask questions.

[patticake]

Oooo- I never thought of that, Jay! Thanks!

[patticake]

Just wanted to bump this thread up for kazjak!

[kazjak]

Thanks for the bump Patti! I'm going to pot mine up toss them outside and maybe I'll get lucky and get some seeds! I'm going to mix some old Schultz mix with good soil and see if they like that.

[janet_a]

speaking of bletilla, there's a big article on them in the current AOS bulletin.....

[patticake]

The May issue of Orchids? I haven't gotten mine yet....

[janet_a]

yes. got mine a couple days ago. (took the full two weeks to get the orchid digest though--they shipped on 4/15.)

[Ellen]

Patti, Congratulations on getting the Bletilla to grow to this point!!!
The algae probably won't hurt them if they've been growing in it all this time, and if it pulls off easily, it may be that you can just remove sheets of it once the seedlings are well rooted in the medium.