Watering orchids wrong, I think.....

[Ray]

We've touched-upon, but have not clearly stated the basis for the "water early in the day" guidance.

When folks water, especially when they have larger collections, they tend to get water in the crowns and leaf axils of the plants. Nighttime conditions tend to favor the growth of bacteria and fungi, and they love those little "pools". By watering early in the day, the water has time to drain away and evaporate, reducing the likelihood of such infections.

I firmly believe that if you are careful to avoid the wetting the plant, one can water at any time with no consequence. Certainly it isn't a matter of wet roots, or every plant grown hydroponically - or plants like phrags that grow wet in nature - wouldn't survive.

[lily99]

I have a busy job and a busy 2 year old, so I also have to water my plants at night sometimes. I carefully wipe off water from the crowns with a paper towel, and so far nothing has rotted. I grow my plants under lights, and have set the timer so their day ends later than sunset. Maybe this helps them dry off. I also have a ceiling fan in the room for air circulation.

[vmax3000]

Hydroponics....there's no store nearby, but I followed Ray Barkalow's advice and had a Cochleanthes marginata that thrived for 4 years. I blew my record when I went on vacation and the plant didn't make it..... As for fungicide, would a botaniwipe work. It's embedded with neem oil. Does it have antifungal properties? I really do try to steer clear of chemistry....I am getting a Ph.D. in it so that fills my quota really quickly. Also, my greenhouse has an amphibian population, several spiders and a lizard. Thanks for all of the responses. I do enjoy reading your posts...and thanks for allowing me to "confess". I do feel so much better! I will have to be more conscientious about not getting water into their crowns, as there will be times that watering in the evening is the option (here's the other horror in my life - I am teaching the 8 am section of an organic chemistry lab - oh stick a needle in my eye...something about drinking and chemistry being done before noon indicating some sort of soul sickness?!?!). Oh, and I will wipe up my tracks!