Cymbidium seedling goes into S/H...What Do U think

[BluOrchid]

Hey All,
I ordered a cymbidium flask and it arrived today, already deflasked for me, and with very healthy babies. I have read somewhere that some ppl do put seedlings into s/h. This is my attempt on doing so and I pray that it is successful. Any opinions or shared experience will be appreciated. btw the seedlings are in hydroton and on top i put a little spaghum moss with holes half an inch from the bottom and sitting in a reservoir.

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/d...3/DSC00078.jpg

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/d...3/DSC00081.jpg

[tom499]

With putting plants into S/H there are a couple of factors which I find very important, and with seedlings I think will be even more so.

1st off is that you flush the pots regulary with good quality water. I personally would make a hole in the bottom, and use a tray system, as I find its much harder for substrate to build up in the pot edges, but if you flush regulary and use good water you'll be fine.

Secondly, I would control the water levels very carefully. That moss will hold in alot of moisture, and the reservoir will keep the moss very wet, so make sure theres good air flow, and maybe let the reservoir empty abit before rewatering, as you will want to give abit of dryness to encourage good root growth, and keep off the chances of fungal attack.

[jay]

Very interesting. I do grow nearly all of my orchids in S/H. I did grow my de-flasked orchids in sphagnum moss though. I do like how you did a top layer of sphagnum. I would be careful with airflow. It will be difficult for fresh air to make it to the roots with the sphagnum layer on top.

I am really interested to see how this works out. Please keep us updated.

[Ron]

Hi.
I do not use spag moss as I find it is a killer of orchids in our area. Keeps them too wet.
Attached is a photo of some Cymbidiums I deflasked last year.
I put 1 each in a 4 inch deep by 2 inc square top.
I use a 5 mm seedling bark smaller than a 1/4 of an inch
Goes straight into th shade house.
Been doing it for the last 15 years of so.
I only use a week organic liquid fertiliser for the first few months then a slow release for the rest of its life

Cheerio
Ron

[patticake]

Interesting! I just planted some flasklings from our OS meeting. we planted them in sphag, but I think I'm going to change them to a fine sphag, bark, charcoal mix. Please keep us posted on how this works out for you! I haven't used s/h yet, but am thinking about it.

[BluOrchid]

I try not to soak the moss so that air can penetrate through. I am not going to keep the moss on top forever, just until the seedlings get a little bigger or until i can divide them. I will keep you guys updated.

[exasperatus2002]

This has peeked my interest. When I get my Cattleya flasks back I wanted to do 1/2 in bark and 1/2 in S/H.

[Ron]

Hi
Been going through my photos looking for this one.
These plants are about 1 year old and about September each year they are potted on into 4 in wide pots about 6 inches deep.
I usually get them to flower between 30-40 months of age if all goes well.
Cheerio
Ron

[LouisW]

I live in a very dry climate so I use a top dress of sphag for a Phragmipedium I have in S/H. If you keep the moss loose (just like when you pot something in it) it allows enough airflow and I have had no problems with rot, and the roots are going nuts. I think the seedlings will love this setup, the moss makes the system very forgiving because it will keep the LECA moist for days even with and empty reservoir. Good luck keep us updated.

[BluOrchid]

Originally Posted by exasperatus2002

This has peeked my interest. When I get my Cattleya flasks back I wanted to do 1/2 in bark and 1/2 in S/H.

I say go for it! I find that especially Cattleyas love the S/h. I transplanted one of my cattleya from soil to s/h and after 2 years of nothing in the soil now its giving me a new shoot after 1 week of transplanting into s/h. I am in love with the s/h system right now.