There has been much discussion about whether to buy the kovachii flasks and/or crosses, prices, availability, ect.

For those of you that do have babies of kovachii and/or crosses, how are you growing them? And how do you know how to grow them?

I have 2 crosses but really have no idea what they require to grow well. I'm even afraid to put them in the greenhouse!! So, I'd really be interested in hearing what you're doing with yours.
Thanks, DebsC

I have a kovachii on order, don't have it yet but I would grow my kovachii just like I would grow my besseae.

Debsc

In the thread "kovachii flask report" a couple weeks ago, Stephen, Paulo & a few other peoples include the culture they use for their seedlings.
Information from the two original peruvian kovachii hybridizers also included.
(From what I heard from all sources, it seems that the most critical for this plant is cool temperature)
Good luck, and if you raise them successfully , do tell us anything you do differently from other growers. Or how you compensate for certain requirements by manipulate other factors.:p

Hien

Thanks, Peter, that gives me a place to start.

Hien, I'll read that post and see what it says. I need all the help I can get! Arkansas (where I live) is not a cool state! That's why the babies are still in the house under a/c. They may never see the inside of the greenhouse. But we'll see. Thanks again!

DebsC

(From what I heard from all sources, it seems that the most critical for this plant is cool temperature)
And keep the roots moist. And do not spray with Physan (my experience...).

Hi phragfan

What happens with physan?:eek:

I know exactly what you mean. i so want one. if not for anything more than to jump on the bandwagon of the anticipation to see what the hybrid flowers look like. i think i may wait until more information is out about the culture of them. i hate when i kill plants!!!!!!!!

Hi phragfan

What happens with physan?:eek:
They get spots that turn yellow, spread and eventually those leaves turn brown and die. Luckily, new leaves are forming that so far look OK. It made me sick -- the plants looked quite healthy for awhile. But there had been a little mold growing on the medium in the flask, and someone told me Physan would assure that the mold wouldn't spread. Apparently, I should have used a very dilute solution, or better -- used my old stand-bys: hydrogen peroxide or cinnamon.

Phragfan

Thank you for the information.
Recently, I just try hydrogen peroxide on the medium of a NON-KOVACHII plant that has mold (it seems to work, at least it kills whatever is there on the medium surface). I do not spray on the plant though.
I notice that the pots that have algae are the ones that have the least problem with mold & fungus. I wonder if this is just coincident, or the algae actually competes with other pathogens.
Has anyone else also find this to be true?

Hien:p

I notice that the pots that have algae are the ones that have the least problem with mold & fungus. I wonder if this is just coincident, or the algae actually competes with other pathogens.
Has anyone else also find this to be true?


I have noticed this! Interesting point. Maybe one of our science gurus has the answer?

Hi Teresa

Glad to hear that you have the same observation. Now, at least , I know that it is not coincident. And I do not imagine thing.
I kind of remember that Kyle mentions somewhere that in nature, either besseae or kovachii also grows on this green slimy thing?
perhaps, kyle can confirm it again.:confused:

My experience so far with a small kovachii seedling is that it does need to be relatively cool. Temps were high this summer in the greenhouse; to 88 F. on some days. The seedling guit growing halfway through a new leaf. After a couple of weeks of watching it I finally moved it under the bench next to the south wall where it got plenty of light and lower temps (also higher humidity). Within a week it started growing a new leaf. I suspect that anything over 80 F. is stressful for kovachii seedlings based on experience with a single plant.
Dean Stock

My experience so far with a small kovachii seedling is that it does need to be relatively cool. Temps were high this summer in the greenhouse; to 88 F. on some days. The seedling guit growing halfway through a new leaf. After a couple of weeks of watching it I finally moved it under the bench next to the south wall where it got plenty of light and lower temps (also higher humidity). Within a week it started growing a new leaf. I suspect that anything over 80 F. is stressful for kovachii seedlings based on experience with a single plant.
Dean Stock

Thanks for the info that is quite helpful!

Always helpful info!

thanks

Hi Teresa
I kind of remember that Kyle mentions somewhere that in nature, either besseae or kovachii also grows on this green slimy thing?
perhaps, kyle can confirm it again.:confused:

Hi Hien, it was besseae that grow in a slimmy/algae type material. Constantly saturated with water. And quite cool.

Kovachi was in a soil. And growing with its roots below the moss the grow on the rocks. It was quite wet, but not as wet as where the besseaes are.

Kyle

Thank you again for the clarification Kyle
Your information not only sheds a little bit more light for us on this new phrag kovachii species, but also the besseae as well.

Hien:p

Hi Hien, it was besseae that grow in a slimmy/algae type material. Constantly saturated with water. And quite cool.

Kovachi was in a soil. And growing with its roots below the moss the grow on the rocks. It was quite wet, but not as wet as where the besseaes are.

Kyle

Hi Kyle,

Thanks for the valuable information! Very helpful.

Phragfan

I notice that the pots that have algae are the ones that have the least problem with mold & fungus. I wonder if this is just coincident, or the algae actually competes with other pathogens.
Has anyone else also find this to be true?


Yes, I find it to be true, I have been growing protocorms and extremely small Cattleya rex onto rockwool, covered with algae, successfully!!;)
Algae seem to protect plants from rot in my experience (especially when using constantly wet substrate, like rockwool)