My cup runneth over, and over and over.

flowerbug

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No, as little exposure to the air as possible. Making the transfer under a sterile hood and holding the cover over the vessel while the transfer is being made, with as little exposure to the air as possible. The vessel is then sealed with surgical tape to prevent contaminants from entering. The process really should be carried out under a laminar flow hood, but they are expensive. All of the instruments must be sterilized in a pressure cooker or autoclave for 22 minutes at 15 psi. It really is a very technical procedure to attempt at home with made do equipment, but it can be done. So, if you want a challenge give it a try.

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oh, no, will not be doing any more projects, i'm short on space here for much of anything new. if i bring something in i have to get rid of something else and i kinda like the stuff i have already. :)
 

jackb

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My Aldi's $7.99 bargain mama plant is going to bloom again. I counted an incredible 38 buds on the plant, and I may have missed a few! :eek: This time I am going to hold off pollinating the flowers, as once pollinated they fade and produce pods. I'll place the plant in a display pot and bring it upstairs to enjoy the flowers for as long as possible. If necessary I will buy a small plant at Trader Joe's for $4.99 to cross it with when there are just a few blooms remaining.

38buds.jpg
 
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jackb

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Well, back to the phalaenopsis seed project. This is about as exciting as watching paint dry; I can't understand how these plants reproduce in the wild other than scattering millions and millions of seeds and relying on pure luck. I replated them again and reverted to the fluorescent light. I knew this but did not apply it: ORCHIDS DO NOT WANT STRONG LIGHT.
This time when I replated them I put fewer protocorms in each vessel. I even placed three corms in individual test tubes and gave one a vessel all to itself so I could watch its progress.
Things are happening, SLOWLY, but happening. It looks like it is growing Micky Mouse ears. Could they be leaves forming, or is that wishful thinking? Time will tell if contamination does not set in.

pc1.jpg
 

jackb

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Here is the cross I just made and hope it takes, Mutt and Jeff. The small plant is from Trader Joe's and the large plant from Aldi. More flowers will be pollinated as they open to better my chances of a new hybrid. :fl

July 2018 Cross.jpg
 
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