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Deflasking Microcoelia

Discussion in 'Orchid Culture' started by Raven, Apr 10, 2019.

  1. Apr 10, 2019 #1
    Raven

    Raven Well-Known Member

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    Does anybody have any experience deflasking this genus?
    I acquired a flask of Microcoelia obovata and the seller suggested to keep them on a bed of spanish moss and keep them constantly moist. My understanding is that this species is from rather dry environment and experiences prolonged dryness in nature. Should I let the newly deflasked seedlings to dry out or still keep them constantly moist at 90% humidity?
    Any input is much appreciated, thank you!
     
  2. Apr 10, 2019 #2
    Raven

    Raven Well-Known Member

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    I use a large terrarium with 90-95% relative humidity on my newly deflasked seedlings but I've never deflasked anything leafless.
     
  3. Apr 10, 2019 #3
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    My only personal experience was deflasking Microcoelia exilis. I mounted them on hardwood with no moisture retentive material and had very little loss. They dry very quickly.

    For Chiloschista I lay them in a try with landscape fabric underneath them. They do not root on to the landscape fabric, but do develop until ready to mount. You could put a thin layer of spanish moss on top.

    I've been told that for Dendrophylax sallei it works well to lay them out on top of spanish moss.
     
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  4. Apr 10, 2019 #4
    Raven

    Raven Well-Known Member

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    Thank you, Marni.
    Did you mount even the smallest seedlings of M. exilis right out of flask as well? What humidity did you maintain around your mounted plants?
     
  5. Apr 10, 2019 #5
    goods

    goods Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    I de-flasked M. gilpinae last year onto a bed of Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides) in a largely open nursery flat. I kept it watered often and found the Tillandsia dried quickly but maintained a humid environment that kept the Microcoelia roots active.

    There is a local nursery that does this with all or most of the leafless species they de-flask out in a shadehouse, and they have very good success.
     
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  6. Apr 10, 2019 #6
    Raven

    Raven Well-Known Member

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    Thank you, goods.
    Did you keep newly deflasked seedlings shady?
     
  7. Apr 10, 2019 #7
    Raven

    Raven Well-Known Member

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    By the way, if anybody wants to trade Microcoelia seedlings, I'd be down for that as soon as mine are established.
     
  8. Apr 11, 2019 #8
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Yes, I did mount all of them immediately. The humidity in that area is about 75 to 80%. If I had known at that time about laying them in a tray I probably would have thought differently about it.
     
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  9. Apr 13, 2019 #9
    goods

    goods Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    I was growing them under lights, so it's hard to translate that to under sun conditions. I would say they were getting fairly high amounts of light, though.

     
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  10. Apr 22, 2019 #10
    Chuck-NH

    Chuck-NH Well-Known Member

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    Hi All,

    Just noticed this thread...I generally put all flaskings in some sort of an enclosure for a few weeks. Some longer and some less depending on what they are and how quick they establish. The Idea being that they came out of a sterile, 100% humidity flask and could use a little extra help adjusting. I have not grown too many leafless Orchids, but here is a flat of Chiloschista. I set the plants on top of a thin layer of NZ Sphagnum and have them inside a high dome tray in moderate shade. The seedlings were taken out of flask in late February and have exhibited significant new root initiation in the last few weeks...I have also sprayed once a week with Kelp Max to help initiate the roots...now I need to mount them up.

    AF0D2DD7-F19A-4837-9DA4-B28B9C297782.jpeg
     
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  11. Apr 23, 2019 #11
    Raven

    Raven Well-Known Member

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    Damn, very nice Chuck. If you are willing to trade a couple of seedlings for Microcoelia, let me know.
    I followed Marni's suggestion to mount them right away but I added a little bit of spanish moss under the seedlings and they are doing amazing.
     
  12. Apr 23, 2019 #12
    Chuck-NH

    Chuck-NH Well-Known Member

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    Sure...will do, but I’ll get them mounted first. Mine are C. usenoides. I was given a big jumbled flask that needed to be dealt with fast, but I didn’t have the time to mount up that many plants. So I believe I lucked out with this method...I just need to deal with them soon so they can get rooted on a mount.
     
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