Deflasked

The process is not too difficult, I didn't want to break the bottles so all that was needed was a few gentle shakes then with the help of a korean metal chopstick ( wiped with alcohol) the seedlings came out of the bottle quite easily. I am using mid size plastic food containers, these are good as they allow light and maintain high humidity. I made holes in the bottom for drainage. media is just spaghnum moss to start. The media is washed off the seedling roots and they are given a short soak in a diluted fungicide solution. I sort them out grouping the larger ones of the same parentage together into one container. Placed on the moist moss, they are kept covered in a bright area with some morning sun. Remember to remove the covers if the sun is direct otherwise the seedlings will get cooked. First few days I keep the humidity high so that they don't get shocked in the new environment. Holes are slowly added on to allow the seedlings to adjust to open air growing.

I use Lushgro Tuber from eco city hydrophonics to encourage new root growth and Gaviota 63 both very diluted.

Sun bathing.....

Flasks are back

I send a seedpod for germination and took back 3 flasks of phal seedlings from the lab. These were from seedpods that were sent for germination about 18 months ago. They look great , healthy and of good size. Deflasking over the weekend...

Golden star

After a few rounds of pest control sprays, the flowers are back. A star shapped  Phal Stephanie Chen

Anthurium magnificant

A cutting which I planted several months back. Nicely established and healthy. A few small scars but overall looks really pretty. Leaves are about 18 inches X 24 inches. I still have a few more of these overgrowing their pots.

The Dendrobium totem pole

The centre support column of my old garden parasol cut into 2 pieces. Solid teak wood,  too good to throw away... starting with the Dendrobium bangkok sunrise. Few of my other dendrobiums are also overgrown and badly need new homes.

Small Dendrobium no ID

A small Dendrobium specimen I recently brought out unto the full sun growing enviromnent. Plain orangy coloured blooms.

Have I grown bigger ??

While routine checking the orchids, could't resist this photo. I am sure many gigantee growers frequently wonder how much bigger the leaves have grown since the last measurement. Still a bit on the skinny side, a bit more feeding might produce rounder leaves.