My new baby seedlings...care?

[aesir22]

Hi all,

I got three seedlins in the post today. Laelia anceps var veitchiana, encyclia cordigera and cattleya intermedia amethystina. I have them in freezer bags with the top open in the low light with my phals. Is this alright for them, or do they prefer different conditions? As for watering, I am assuming they don't like to dry out as much as they older orchids?

Thanks for any help provided

[aesir22]

Actually, correction there....I have found a propagator. I have put all three pots in there, they look quite comfy

[Ron-NY]

Danny, if all are established seedlings, than I would not over baby them. All three are not low light species, like Phals but require about 50% sun and all 3 need to approach dryness before watering. The Laelia and Catt I have mounted so they dry rapidly between watering but are kept with very good humidity. The Enc I have growing in a basket and also dries between watering and keep it a bit higher in light than the other 2.
It is OK to keep them in pots for now but not constantly wet. Try googling each species with the word culture and do some reading. When googling, leave off the variety names, ie veitchiana and amethystina

[aesir22]

Hi Ron, thanks

They are in a south facing room, about 4 foot away from the window. Does that sound ok in respect to light? The propagator is tall, with air vents on the lid to allow air in. Is this necessary or should I just take them out and let them breathe the proper air?

I was wanting to keep them in pots for a year or so. This will give me time to practice things like mounting so that I know what I'm doing with them. You say in pots I need to keep them constantly wet? But also to let them approach dryness? I'm confused lol.

Thanks for the help so far. In a few years I hope I can post pictures of nice blooms and healthy plants

[Ron-NY]

sorry danny, left out the word NOT, I corrected post. They should not stay constantly wet. Without air circulation (even though there are vents on the top), in your propagator, I would be concerned about rot. I would remove them and bring them closer to that south facing window, maybe 2 foot distance or in front of the window with a sheer curtain shading the light.

[aesir22]

Thanks Ron, thats a great help I have a humidifier in the room, though it isn't on all day, and again a fan, though that isn't on all day either. Both aren't the best quality and I worry they will explode lol. But I will move them closer to the window. I cannot shade it because I also have bonsai and citrus in this window. But they will be surrounded by other plants, so humidity will be good. And the other plants will likely shade them through the day - they are quite tall lol. I might put them under the canopy of one of my fukien teas

[Ron-NY]

I too use other plants to shade the chids that I still grow at home.
Good luck with them! All 3 are wonderful species!

[aesir22]

These are my last 3 purchases for a while. Moving at the weekend and I have assessed the space. I'm already going to struggle lol. I have a good east window with a really deep windowsill...will they do well on that?

My collection feels complete now (for the moment) It really should, since in 3 weeks I have gone from having 2 phals to having 7 phals, one dend, an onc, an encyclia and these 3 seedlings lol.

Do little seedlings need feeding? Or do I leave them until they are bigger?

[Ron-NY]

one can always widen a windowsill with a shelf, LOL

They will have to do there. I recall starting with a couple orchids and now have close to 500 and yes, they will need to be fed

[aesir22]

Cool. I have a NE window for the phals and an east one for the others then