Having problems watering... - Orchid Board

addictedcountryman · #1 07-01-2008, 09:48 PM

Until a few weeks ago, I only had a handful of orchids that fit on a whole bench. Since joining my local orchid society, I have been blessed to receive orchids at little to no cost. Within the last week I have purchased/received about 20 orchids.... I have now encountered a problem. I live in a two-bed two bath condo... I have devoted my spare bedroom to my orchids and have purchased a four tier rack and I still find my orchids overflowing because of their size or their roots. I have changed my watering methods from individually soaking each orchid to placing them in my shower. This Sunday (I water every Sunday) I had to set up two showering periods. I know my collection is not as large as most peoples, but because of my limited space, this is what I must do. I am looking for a more easier and affordable method of watering that does not take 2 hours of shuffling dripping orchids from bath to bedroom. Any and all suggestions are welcome. Thanks for your interest!
Abby

Shirley · #2 07-02-2008, 01:04 AM

Hi Abby, This isn't meant to be discouraging but, after 23 years, I am still watering my 120 plants by individually soaking because I haven't found a better way. I dunk in a bucket, which isn't a recommended method, but works best for me. I would be very hesitant to use the shower method because of the risk of leaving water in the crowns. I divide my plants into sections so that I'm not doing them all the same day but probably spend six hours or so each week.

quiltingwacko · #3 07-02-2008, 01:09 AM

I am going to get some of those trays from Oak Hill with the grid over the top of them. Then there will be more humidity for my chids than I have right now. I water with a watering can and all my plants sit on gravel in trays. However, salts accumulate and since I have fallen in love with Miltonias and Phragmipediums, I have to upgrade. Wouldn't want to discolor my blossoms from too much salt accumulation.

addictedcountryman · #4 07-02-2008, 03:04 AM

Hi Shirley,
lol my husband and I blow on each orchid when I take it out of the shower and then he hustles to get my fan because I stressed and maybe exaggerated that no water must be left in the crown. Right now, I water about once a week and he has hooked up a mini evaporated cooler which has raised my humidity level to 70 percent. Hopefully I won't have to water as often, but I just wanted to see if there was a slightly easier way to water without having to purchase a mister or what not.

Quiltingwacko, how often do you water your orchids? I used to water with a can but I kinda went overboard.

Thanks for your advice

Ray · #5 07-02-2008, 10:28 AM

When I was exclusively an indoor grower, I did the following:

To handle the overflow/drainage, put standard nursery trays on the shelves, and modify them so that there is a drain tube to a bucket:
Tray Drains I usually put some gravel in the trays so the plants are not sitting in the water at any time. In the summer, I used a 5-gallon bucket with it's own drain tube, which ran outdoors so i didn't even have to dump it periodically.

Then you can focus on the water delivery system. For a relatively small collection, I'd recommend a pump-up sprayer or several gallons capacity. You can mix up the water and fertilizer, then with the nozzle on a coarse spray, reach each pot individually and flood them one-by-one.

Grandma M · #6 07-02-2008, 10:52 AM

I empty my overflow bucket with a pond pump and a tube running to my sink. Pond pumps come in all different sizes. You can get them at the big box stores. When you are finished you can just pull the tube away from the sink and tuck it away.

NOTE: don't leave the stopper in the sink like I did the first time. I had a flood. I didn't do that again.

It will leave a little bit in the bucket. You can either empty it by hand or do as I do, just leave it there until the next time. (a little extra humidity)
My bucket is tucked away under things so it would be difficult to pull it out and empty it.

Marilyn

quiltingwacko · #7 07-02-2008, 03:27 PM

I water once a week. This makes all of them happy but the phals planted in bark, they dry out and need more. One is in peat moss and one is in a more humid room. They are both happy with once a week. Some get distilled water and some don't.

Learner · #8 07-02-2008, 05:29 PM

Hi Abby
What are you using as a mini evaporative cooler? I have not gotten started looking into this heat and humidity problem because my few orchids just follow me around for now. And good luck with your new plants. It sounds like you got in deep in a hurry. Way to go!
Jim

addictedcountryman · #9 07-02-2008, 05:50 PM

Hi Jim,
its about 3 feet high, one foot wide, and 3 feet long. Its called a RiteTemp evaporative cooler and it has two 2 gallon (i think) tanks on the side. Here's a link. My mom originally told me it was a humidifer- I drove onto the base the next day and the guard stopped me and asked, "What the heck is that?" I had forgotten I had it in my car. Not exactly the smartest idea to drive on base with this type of contraption.

Whenever I walk into the room, I start sweating, but its only 80 degrees in there.

Thanks for the advice everyone... I think I will be shopping for trays, tubes, and buckets soon.

addictedcountryman · #10 07-02-2008, 05:54 PM

The RiteTemp Support Site - 5051 Cool-Air Fan