Holiday contraptions

[SundayGardener]

I have several that are higher than the water. The ones in the pictures are on a relatively low shelf. A narrow vase might be better. I need to keep the cats out of the water (it is fertilized, I don't want the cats drinking it). I could try moving some of the cups directly underneath the lowest shelf...

[shadytrake]

Always good to let roots and plants "harden" off a few days every now and again. My bare root vanda collection gets several days of no water at this time of year. Caveat: I have a greenhouse and over 400 vandas. We also have a climate alert system. As long as the humidity is pretty high and the temp is controlled, they should be fine for a few days. In fact, if temps are dropping, it is best that the orchids are on the dry side to protect them from damp fungi.

[SillyKeiki]

I'm going for 2 weeks, my friend. That's too long. And the relative humidity is only 60%.

[SillyCookies]

I use home made self-watering pots with LECA and microfibre wicks because I travel from home regularly. That said, I am completely new to the orchid growing hobby and have only had my plants for one month! I'll be leaving them alone for 3 weeks over christmas, so I'll update you with how things went after

[SillyCookies]

Well, it all went perfectly, no problems at all

[SillyKeiki]

SillyCookies, I am happy to hear that! Self-watering pots with LECA are the future. All my potted plants were in perfect condition. The Vandas (bare rooted)... not so happy. I think they needed a little bit more contact with the water than what I gave them.

[SillyCookies]

Turns out there was a little problem, actually. My dendrobium nobile developed what I think was black rot, so that wasn't good. I'm pretty sure that it's because I pllaced it too deep in the LECA
As I said, I'm new
Other than that, all seems well, so I don't think that the self watering system is at fault.