How to water Phals and Catts.

[lichanura]

Hello All:
I have noticed that some of my Phals have Fusarium. I am wondering if my watering method is spreading the disease. I have a bucket of water with about three gallons of water. I completely submerge each plant for a few minutes then let them drip before replacing them back to their spot. I submerge the next plant in the same water as the previous plant and it dawned on me that I may be doing a bad thing. I have about thirty plants. How do others water their plants?

[WaterWitchin]

One of the prime things folks who grow more than an occasional orchid will tell you is never share water from one plant to another. The same bucket, the same tray, etc. That includes also being careful not to let the water from one shelf of plants drip down onto the shelf below.

It can very easily spread virus, fungus, and bacteria from plant to plant.

Folks water plants in many different ways, depending on how their grow space(s) is set up. In the sink, one at a time with water running. With a hose or pump sprayer, making sure to keep the runoff off the other plants. With a watering can. Any way one can think of watering that doesn't share water from plant to plant.

[Roberta]

I doubt fusarium, especially in Arizona... it is rare except in tropical areas (The obsession with it is a piece of bad misinformation spread by YouTube videos) However, there ARE plenty of fungal and bacterial diseases that CAN affect plants and be spread between them, and WaterWitchin's advice is absolutely spot-on... don't share water between plants. Period. Ever.

[SouthPark]

WW and Roberta have provided critically important information about risks behind dunking orchids in the same water ----- as in -- if 1 or more orchids happen to have pathogens on roots and media, then dunking all plants in the same water could definitely spread that pathogen around.

Lots of details can be gathered about watering of orchids. How we water depends on various things. Naturally, decisions need to be made about how we water, based on growing conditions - environment, media used, and just 'choice' itself.

Maybe the following tips can be helpful about watering. Certain things to think about ------ with watering of orchids.

Click Here and Click Here and Click Here.

The number of orchids I have is still manageable with pump action weed-sprayer (with adjustable spray nozzle). I live in the tropics, and most of my orchids grow in scoria (lava rock).

[aliceinwl]

For my windowsill plants, each has its own soaking cup and I fill each cup and soak them individually. It does end up requiring more water. Like pretty much everyone, I had to learn this was necessary the hard way

[Dorchid]

Speaking of soaking in individual containers, how long do you all that water this way soak for? I’ve been going 20min. Is this overkill? Most of my plants are in bark/perlite and some have sphag in the mix as well.

[WaterWitchin]

Generally speaking, I don’t think you can “overkill” soaking individually for a half hour, an hour, or more. The key to soaking is waiting for whatever media it’s in to dry enough prior to soaking again. That of course doesn’t mean overnight or for days. When I used to use a medium or large mix of Orchiata, a fairly hard bark, I would usually soak a half hour to hour. But distraction happens, and there’s no problem.

---------- Post added at 02:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:48 PM ----------

PS And thanks for the Fusarium input Roberta. Saw that, but was in a rush.

[Dorchid]

GTK!