Question on Watering Method - to wash or not to wash?
Login
User Name
Password   


Registration is FREE. Click to become a member of OrchidBoard community
(You're NOT logged in)

menu menu

Sponsor
Donate Now
and become
Forum Supporter.

Question on Watering Method - to wash or not to wash?
Many perks!
<...more...>


Sponsor
 

Google


Fauna Top Sites
Register Question on Watering Method - to wash or not to wash? Members Question on Watering Method - to wash or not to wash? Question on Watering Method - to wash or not to wash? Today's PostsQuestion on Watering Method - to wash or not to wash? Question on Watering Method - to wash or not to wash? Question on Watering Method - to wash or not to wash?
LOG IN/REGISTER TO CLOSE THIS ADVERTISEMENT
Go Back   Orchid Board - Most Complete Orchid Forum on the web ! > >
Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 07-22-2009, 04:39 PM
Becca Becca is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Mar 2007
Zone: 6b
Location: Meridian, ID
Age: 46
Posts: 3,610
Default Question on Watering Method - to wash or not to wash?

Hi Everyone! I have a quick question for everyone on a particular step of my watering method. I just want to find out if I am being to thorough (hubby thinks so), so here it goes.

When I water my potted orchids once a week, I have plastic containers that I set them in and soak them to give them a good drink. No problems as long as I don't get lazy and leave them soaking for too long. Anyways...these plastic containers, I wash them by hand (no dishwasher) before each use, sometimes they have a chance to dry out before use and sometimes they don't. After I use them I stack them while still wet until the following week and then I wash them again before use. My hubby asks if it's really necessary that I wash them with hot soapy water and why I can't just give them a rinse before re-using them again. My thinking is that I leave them stacked wet for a week and they don't dry out being all nestled together and I don't know if bacteria or what will grow in the water that doesn't dry out. So......am I taking it to far? Can I save my self some time and just give them a quick rinse? I don't re-use the same pot for the same orchid either, I have to many to really keep track of that kind of thing...lol. I also didn't know if with that small amount of water if I would run the risk of transferring diseases or whatever should a problem ever arise.

Ok...so let's hear it! I'm ready!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-22-2009, 05:32 PM
seamonkey seamonkey is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: May 2009
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 172
Default

Cleanliness is next to Orchidliness!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 07-22-2009, 05:56 PM
Ross Ross is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Sep 2006
Zone: 5a
Posts: 9,277
Default

I don't wash mine, but then I occasionally get scale epidemics too
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 07-22-2009, 05:58 PM
Becca Becca is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Mar 2007
Zone: 6b
Location: Meridian, ID
Age: 46
Posts: 3,610
Default

Well I have 50 to 70 pots so washing them takes about 15 to 20 minutes and the hot water really heats the house up during the summer making the AC run more. 15 to 20 minutes isn't so bad I'm bored...lol. I guess I am more worried about spreading diseases and bacterial stuff then bugs!

Last edited by Becca; 07-22-2009 at 06:09 PM..
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 07-22-2009, 05:59 PM
Zoi2 Zoi2 is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Jan 2009
Zone: 5a
Member of:OSGKC
Location: Kansas City, MO
Age: 66
Posts: 4,773
Default

Becca, I do the same thing with my bark media potted plants, except I wash the water containers after I use them too.
Joann
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 07-22-2009, 11:12 PM
Judi's Avatar
Judi Judi is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Oct 2008
Zone: 5b
Location: Schenectady New York
Posts: 357
Question on Watering Method - to wash or not to wash? Female
Default

I use the same method for watering my chids. I just rinse the saucers well, but I make sure they dry overnight before I stack them and put them away for next time.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 07-23-2009, 07:30 AM
billc's Avatar
billc billc is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Feb 2008
Zone: 6b
Location: The beautiful Hudson Valley of NY
Posts: 1,870
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Becca View Post
Well I have 50 to 70 pots so washing them takes about 15 to 20 minutes and the hot water really heats the house up during the summer making the AC run more. 15 to 20 minutes isn't so bad I'm bored...lol. I guess I am more worried about spreading diseases and bacterial stuff then bugs!
How about spraying them with a bleach solution. 2 parts bleach(20%) should take care of it. Also, can you store them upside down? They might dry then.

Bill
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 07-23-2009, 09:26 AM
TylerK TylerK is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: May 2009
Zone: 6a
Location: Toronto, ON
Age: 47
Posts: 161
Default

You're certainly not doing them any harm by washing, but I doubt it's doing too much to help either. When you're potting up the plants with any organic medium you're eventually going to get a significant bacterial/fungal buildup anyway....that's just how the potting medium eventually decomposes. Most of the bacteria and fungi are likely to be beneficial to the plant, releasing nutrients as they break down the potting medium. There are many varieties of bacteria and fungi out there and most are not pathenogenic to any plant unless they're already weakened or injured.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 07-23-2009, 10:26 AM
Ray's Avatar
Ray Ray is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: May 2005
Member of:AOS
Location: Oak Island NC
Posts: 15,204
Question on Watering Method - to wash or not to wash? Male
Default

I vote with Tyler (and your hubby).
__________________
Ray Barkalow, Orchid Iconoclast
FIRSTRAYS.COM
Try Kelpak - you won't be sorry!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 07-23-2009, 12:32 PM
RosieC RosieC is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Jul 2008
Zone: 8a
Location: West Midlands, UK
Age: 49
Posts: 25,462
Default

I don't wash mine. I have less than I need for the number of plants so they get a rince out between plants but that's all.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
dry, wash, water, week, wet, watering, method, question


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Humidity Question: more frequent watering to remedy low humidity? TheEndPhase Beginner Discussion 13 04-20-2009 02:30 AM
Question on Watering Neo's During the Winter Month's Becca Vanda Alliance - Neofinetia 16 12-12-2008 12:40 AM
Brassia potting and watering question. Team Ferret Beginner Discussion 2 07-02-2007 08:24 AM
just a quick question about watering? babydolwv Beginner Discussion 12 03-30-2007 10:55 PM
Watering S/H question Tindomul Semi-Hydroponic Culture 12 01-07-2007 11:35 AM

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:32 PM.

© 2007 OrchidBoard.com
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO v2.0.37 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.

Clubs vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.