High Humidity Box for seedlings

[CVHorticulture]

So i just received an order of 53 orchid plants all in 2in pots.
Angrecum sesquipedale
Cattleya dowiana
Cattleya jenmanii
Laelia purpurata
Phalaenopsis amabilis

I had to find a way to transition these plants into my greenhouse and currently do not have all my environmental controls in order. So this is what I do

Standard Storage Bin with no top.
Poly Film cut to fit over and down the sides about 6 inches
Duct tape to secure,
and empty trays to keep everything off the bottom.




The Plants were of extremely high quality when I opened the box. Packaged to standard and all with labels. There are actively growing roots on nearly 90% of the plants and about 75% have new topgrowth as well.

I like this method for several reasons, first, it keeps all the plants together making initial treatment before they go to benches much easier/efficient. Second, Water management is far simplified.
Instead of the plants drying out in 40% to 60% RH, they can be kept at around 85%.
This keeps human error out of the equation. I didn't water any of them, put them in the box and within 12 hours the roots looked like they had been watered and the leaves regained all of the turgidity they lost durring shipment.

This is a very basic concept based on commercial propagation techniques.
Number one concern is the lack of air circulation and pulling the poly off at night cuts down on the fungus/ rot problems which are prone to develop in this environment.
I plan to keep the plants like this for about a month, but dont see why this couldn't be done for much longer as long as good maintenance and cleanliness standards are adhered too.

Thanks,
CVH

"Sua Sponte"

[CVHorticulture]

Did first treatment of these plants today. Dunked all in a cocktail of 1tsp kln, protekt, sa20, and 2tsp msu mixed in 1 gallon.

CVH

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Hope they all survive!! I look forward to following your progress with these orchids.

cheers,
BD

[Halloamey]

They all look really healthy and nice, my only concern with close box set up would be sufficient light and air circulation.

[CVHorticulture]

Its also concerns me. I am trying to work a deal with a nursery that is going out of business to get a 25'x25' piece of shade. I only keep them covered through the heat of the day, when humidity drops considerably in the greenhouse. nights and mornings stay around 75-80%rh. I dont fear that damping off will be an issue if covered for no more than 6 hours out of the day, but i think i am going to get a small fan to blow directly on them for the time being, just to be precautionary.