Just unflasked phrags - photos

[johnndc]

These are the Phrag Lynn-Evans Goldner "Full Circle" HCC/AOS x besseae flavum seedlings that Ki and I got at the NCOS show this weekend. She got 2 flasks, I got one. I decided to pot one in s/h with very small medium, and the other in the CHC/sphag/perlite mixture that that Repotting place - myrepot or whatever it is - was selling. Kind of a pulverized mixture, so much finer than it sounds. The top is the regular chc type mix, the bottom photo is the semi-hydro - I've got them covered for now, it's only the first 24 hours so far, have two small holes in each cover for a bit of air. I want to try to keep the humidity up without turning the thing into mold - gonna be a bit of a challenge I fear. For what it's worth, they had amazing roots.

Does this work?

 

[Heather]

Not sure why - I looked at the links - but the photos aren't coming up for me, John. I changed one link to an URL and it said "forbidden" when I clicked on it. Is your hosting site public? Then I changed it back.

They sound nice though.

 

[MoreWater]

hmmmm.... image problem?

Too busy to deflask mine, but I think they need to come out soon - it's ridiculously warm in my apartment. And like I think I mentioned in my potting medium thread, these are my first phrag flasks so I'm a bit nervous....

They are mini flasks and I got 2 different kinds. Here's a pic of one of mine.

 

[Heather]

Damn! look at those root hairs!!! NICE!

 

[johnndc]

Okay, can you see my pics now? I mean in the top post.

 

[MoreWater]

yup. it looks very humid in there.

 

[johnndc]

yes but is that good humid or bad humid?

 

[Heather]

Okay, can you see my pics now? I mean in the top post.

Yes, Lincoln, I can.
I'd crack it for some air...

 

[MoreWater]

ditto.

and watch the temps in there when the lights are on. Because you have a very small enclosure, the temps will rise pretty quickly and quite high. I've steamed begonias and stuff under humidity domes on the shelves.

I would give them multiple quick ventings a day.

but then, I've never dealt with phrag flasklings so they may be a bit different....

 

[MoreWater]

and another thing I've had to do, given that I also had to deflask in suboptimal conditions.... spritz with hydrogen peroxide solution every now and then. I've heard people in greenhouses recommend once a week - I've done it more often. I don't know if they get set back by it but it sure beats losing a flask to damping off.

 

[johnndc]

Okay, you sufficiently scared me - I poked a LOT more holes in the thing, like 14 or so.

 

[MoreWater]

I hope those holes are small ... rarely good to over-adjust.
So do you have a lot on condensation? that would be an indication of significant temp fluctuation.

 

[NYEric]

Nice stuff. I wish you people wood stop making me jealous. Who was the vendor?

 

[johnndc]

Woodstream was the vendor. And, well, the holes are there now, and decent size. From what some others have suggested, I think I did the right thing - they had a day in their almost totallyh covered environment, then a day with lots of holes, but still covered, and now I'm going to slowly get them more and more accustomed to the good ole air.

 

[Paphman910]

Wouldn't it be better in a ziploc bag partially open for fresh air and keeping the humidity high.

Paphman910

 

[johnndc]

How do you suggest I keep the humidity high? I live in a studio, and at this time of year the windows need to be open somewhat or the temps soar inside (southern exposure). That's the only way I can figure to help keep the humidity up - and actually, I worry that plastic bags have even more stagnant air - no? Again, I have like 14 holes in each container now, so there's some pretty good air circulation.

 

[MoreWater]

hey John,

Just thought I'd mention that with my first couple of flasks, I lost more during days 7-14 than I did in the first week

but then I'm probably killing them now, as I left them on the floor because the apartment was so d@mn hot this morning.... I left the balc door wide open and now I realize I'm not going to get home until around midnight - the floor will be pretty chilly by then.

 

[johnndc]

Ki, any idea what went wrong in that second week? I know when I've tried plants in plastic bags, a la sphag and bag, it's been a disaster. So am a bit afraid of that one. That's why I'm hoping semi-hydro may help keep some of the humidity up, be less of a shock to the roots, and as for the other one the medium is decently moist (it's ground pretty fine). Not really sure what else I can do - and in any case, am leaving town on saturday for 5 days so the little pups are on their own in any case.

 

[MoreWater]

damping off and humidity fluctuation.

I've had the best results with s/h, and I attribute that to: (1) with minimal air circulation, regular potting medium gets too stagnant and (2) it helps keep the humidity stable. But I'm guessing, of course....

yeah, I realized earlier today that you were about to go out of town - I shall not repeat here what I said to someone about your decision to deflask now

(but as I said, I may get home to dead flasklings so...)

 

[johnndc]

Your vote of confidence is always appreciated The things needed to be deflasked, several of the leaf tips were starting to change colors and they scared me. If they die, I get more - the flask is dead, long live the flask.