UPRAWA / ROZMNAŻANIE / 3

Asymbiotic micropropagation of orchids from seeds (flasking)

19.
Outplanting: You will also be given a plate of pregerminated (6.5 months ago) and presubcultured (4.5 months ago) seedlings at the appropriate stage of development for outplanting into the greenhouse. This operation can be performed when seedling are about the size of the smallest or next-to-smallest of the three Phalanopsis seedlings shown here.

20.
This box of Dendrobium seedlings is also ready for outplanting. In general seedlings should be 5 to 6 cm tall and have 3 or more roots at the time of outplanting.

21.
The gradual transition from lab to normal greenhouse is known as acclimitization (Stage IV). These seedlings have just been outplanted to 4 inch community pot containing 4 parts fine fir bark: 1 part coarse perlite (or spagnum moss).

If the orchids are to be grown in a relatively low humidity greenhouse, the pot should be covered at the time of outplanting with a plastic bag and placed under ca. 70% shade.
After 1 week make approx. 1 cm diagonal cuts in the top corners of the plastic bag to act as ventillation holes.
At the end of the 2nd week, remove the plastic bag and transfer the pot to 50% shade.
At the end of the third week, transfer the pot to full ambient greenhouse lighting conditions.

Question: What environmental changes are occuring during the process of acclimitization, and why is it done gradually rather than abruptly?

22.
Feel free to take home the orchids which you have grown from seed to potted plant. With patience and some horticultural skill (or luck) you will have a flowering orchid in approx. 3 years from seeding.