First paph flask

[Orchidkid99]

Hey all! How are you going??
Ok, so I bought my first paph flask. A Maudiae hybrid. My question for all experienced paph deflaskers is what do I plant them in? My other paphs are planted in a potting mix and perlite mixture that I make myself. But some that I buy are done in straight perlite.. What should I do?? I want to use my soil mixture because my shade house drys out quite fast. But I've heard that soils can make seedlings breakout in mould and the like. So... What should I use? Thanks all for the time and help!

 

[polyantha]

I am currently using fine seedling bark, perlite and sphagnum. Make sure not to keep them too wet at the beginning.

 

[Orchidkid99]

I am currently using fine seedling bark, perlite and sphagnum. Make sure not to keep them too wet at the beginning.

Oh thanks for telling me btw, also why should they not stay wet?? Thanks, Jack.

 

[Justin]

Oh thanks for telling me btw, also why should they not stay wet?? Thanks, Jack.

they should be kept moist but not kept wet if that makes sense. they will need high humidity but also airflow. so if you put the compot under a humidity dome you need to leave it a littel open so air can get in. i put the whole compot in a gallon freezer bag with the end half open for the first few weeks.

for flasklings i use small fir bark, small charcoal and perlite, and chopped sphangum moss.

 

[Ozpaph]

as above - humid, warm, low light (compared to adult plants) and air movement. Compost as above.

 

[polyantha]

I agree with Justin. Moist but no wet. The reason is that the roots die if they don´t get enough air in the rooting mix or even worse: leaf tissue will begin to rot (Erwinia). Air movement is another important point.

 

[Orchidkid99]

Thanks guys