What is the best substrate for leaving plants unattended?

[naturalistSean]

Thanks to all for the help on leaving a couple of close to flowering plants alone for a week.

This has got me thinking. I anticipate needing to leave plants unattended for a couple of weeks in summer. While I can have some outside with a hose/sprinkler timer others are probably not well suited for that. What is the best way to grow plants that can go unattended for a week or two or three?
Is semi-hydro better than bark or moss for this? Does it make sense to place a wick when repotting in bark so that the wicking method can be used? Would that wick retain too much moisture in normal times?

At any rate I hope all are enjoying the time of year.

[Ray]

I really don’t think there is a simple answer, or a single growing method that will work for everyone, because there are a lot more factors that add up to “good culture” than just the medium and water delivery method.

Certainly, s/h culture, saturating the LECA immediately before leaving, will provide a nice, long period of moisture as compared to coarse bark, but the question becomes “what will work for your plants in your conditions?”.

I think that if you water everything extremely thoroughly just before departing, they will manage just fine. You might find some are a bit desiccated when you return, but it probably won’t be fatal.

[Shadeflower]

sean, I have always had the same concern as you so I went for self watering pots.

There are endless tutorials on them online.

This is one of my grow cupboards, it can go two weeks without watering and the plants wouldn't even go dry in that time.

If you look closely you will see each plant has its own reservoir.



I agree though that not everything can be copied exactly like others do it and sometimes it doesn't work the way you want, Wick can either be too wicking or not wicking enough so takes a bit of experimenting to see what substrate works well with it, how much wick to use and so on

there are lots of tutorials on the subject:

Rhyncholaelia (Brassavola) Digbyana Semi Hydroponic Care & Culture #Carecollab - YouTube

Cattleyas from my last haul, repotting into self watering system - YouTube

Transition & Acclimating SUCCESS after 3 YEARS | #orchids Self Watering | Semi Hydroponics - YouTube

Semi-Hydro for Orchids: Discussions on Conversion and Long-Term Growing - YouTube

Semi Hydro Orchid Setup In Self Watering Pots: Why? - YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2plQHNvYMY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Do3qf-Cc8Y

[estación seca]

Most orchids in habitat encounter dry spells even during the normal rainy season. Tiny cloud forest plants have this happen less frequently. But for most larger plants in containers a week between watering is no problem at all.

It is fine to leave orchids standing in a dish of water if the medium is well aerated and temperatures appropriate. This can stretch the safe away period. It is fine to stand mounts in jars with a little water so it soaks up the mount. It is fine to wrap plants with so-called Spanish moss, Tillandsia usneoides, to raise humidity.

You might also look for other orchid growers near you and trade plantsitting services.

[rbarata]

Maybe not the best option since you are not going to unpot your plants but some people have good results putting a piece of cloth (or any other neutral material with wicking properties) inside the medium with the other extremity loose outside the pot to absorb water from a container.
You can also put a temporary layer of sphagnum on top of the medium.

But, obviously, you must find a solution suitable for your growing conditions.

[Roberta]

In summer, when most orchids are fine outside, consider setting up an automatic watering system. There are timers that can be connected to a hose faucet. That what saves my collection (and my time and sanity) - my system is permanent and rather extensive, but one can start small.

[jcec1]

If you have room, put them in the bathtub with a couple of old towels that have been throughly soaked, I did this in Texas in the summer, the air conditioning off and they did just fine, in fact they did better as the humidity was higher than they normally get.

[SouthPark]

For my more touchy/vulnerable plants that require a bit extra care, I use a timer system. And all the other ones that are more rugged --- someone usually and kindly helps me do the watering - with some basic instructions.

For my timer system, the scoria works nicely. But I think - even for bark ----- it's ok too --- just need to set the timer to whatever works nicely in general for the particular medium. As long as the orchids don't get dehydrated, then that will be good.

Although - the timer system needs to be reliable ----- or high probability that it's going to work, and keep working for the whole trip. Also depends on the number of orchids need to be watered with the system. So just need to focus on reliability - and avoid conditions where water is going to be leaking all over the place etc.

LINK

[Leafmite]

Always try out whatever system you choose a couple of months in advance so you can try a different method if one doesn't work.

Shadeflower, I like your setup! I have used the wicking method with herbs and have many of my other plants in self-watering pots, even some citrus.

Self-watering methods work really well. Run thin cotton rope through your medium in each pot and set the pot/pots over a water reserve so that the rope can wick up water into the medium.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Most orchids in habitat encounter dry spells even during the normal rainy season. Tiny cloud forest plants have this happen less frequently. But for most larger plants in containers a week between watering is no problem at all.

I’ll tack on a little more that might help you plan…

Those “dry spells” are often accompanied by high humidity and dew in the morning. With high humidity, the “drive” to lose water through transpiration is reduced, allowing the plant’s current “stockpile” of absorbed water last longer.

If you can place your plants where high humidity and somewhat reduced light is available, they’ll be less stressed by the “man made drought”.