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Green
Culture Singapore
Feature
Article for October 2005 |
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Text
& Pictures - orchideenjaeger |
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Online
on 4 October 2005 |
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INTRODUCTION
Besides growing epiphytes from flask, in this follow up on the previous
article on deflasking an epiphyte, Dendrobium carronii, one
will learn the basics of growing terrestrial orchids from flask.
In this case, the plant used is Paphiopedilum niveum var.
semi-alba.
There
are many terrestrial orchids in flasks in the market out there,
but the most commonly available ones are those from the slipper
orchid family or are jewel orchids. These usually have similar
requirements to the plant demonstrated here; whereas there are
some that are more fastidious, have specific timings to deflask
or have some odd positioning to follow when potted up.
When
selecting Paphiopedilum species or hybrids to grow, look
for those whose parentage fall within the subgenera Brachypetalum
(P. niveum, bellatulum, concolor and godefroyae)
or Cochlopetalum (P. liemianum, primulinum, victoria-reginae
and victoria-mariae), these are usually warmer growing
and can take the heat here. Contrary to popular belief, these
2 subgenera of Paphiopedilums require a bit more sunlight
to flower and grow well.
THE EQUIPMENT
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Here
are some examples of reusable pots.
Seedlings
usually have a high mortality rate, so unless one has time
to rewash the pots when the seedlings die, then do one consider
investing in such pots.
LHS:
These are the commonly found plastic pots with holes at
the bottom to ensure proper drainage.
RHS:
These are specially designed Rand's Aircone pots. These
specially designed pots made in the USA.
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This
is how the Aircone pots look inside. There is a perforated
cone in the centre of the pot to allow better air movement
in the core of the roots. These pots are specially designed
for growing slipper orchids
The
pots are translucent enable the grower to monitor root development.
As
these are expensive, they are saved up for use with more
different plants.
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For
those with little money and a lot of time on their hands
e.g. students like me, you could simply buy a few tubes
of Solo / disposable drinking cups and sit down in
a relax position and start making holes into them. The holes
are to ensure proper drainage of any water that flows through.
In
any case, if plants or seedlings die in such pots, just
throw the whole thing away - there is no point recycling
the pots
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In
this demonstration, there are about 10 seedlings so I picked
out 10 pots to pot up the seedlings. |
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LHS:
A container (here, I use an old ice-cream tub), to
hold water and pesticide
RHS:
A small basket to drain the seedlings after washing
and soaking
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Special
potting mix: My special recipe for growing terrestrials
that rarely fails to produce results.
Usually
made in batches every half a year during school holidays.
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Charcoal
pieces to be used as crocking material.
This
allows excess water to drain better.
Other
crocking materials such as small pieces of broken bricks
or diatomite can be employed as well.
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Lighter
for flaming / sterilizing cutting surfaces such as the
scissors' blades.
Scissors
for cutting away diseased / dead plant parts.
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