How to travel?

[Pupka]

Hello,

I must travel for about a month or so, and I don't know what to do with my collection!! How do you, guys, travel? Do you install self-watering systems, or anything like that? Is there a system that will keep my orchids watered for a whole month? I don't have anybody who could care for my orchids, nobody has experience in this area, I'm just stuck. I don't want them to die while I'm away, and I can't postpone this trip, nor can I cancel it. I just bought a sanderianum baby, and some others... depressed. Need your help!!

[smartie2000]

Back when my collection was managable..umm 30 plants We got a friend to come by and water them and feed the fishes.

some people sit them in water and it works I heard

Now I have no clue what I would do with all my plants if I had to travel....

[Shadow]

It was a time when I left my orchids for 2 weeks. I soaked them in water just before the trip, so they were well watered. Then I put them on the floor where they were shaded from the sun and put a lot of containers with water around them. When I was back they were stressed, but alive. But I think this method will be insufficient to survive 4 weeks. You need somebody to water them or automatic watering system.

[Pupka]

I found one on inet, called Oasis self-watering system, does anybody use it or been using it? In the ad it says it can water plants for 40 days. Just what I need... The only concern is that I have two or three seedlings and they require different frequency and water quality. Oh... don't know..

[Ross]

I have a very dependable son that does that for me. Length of time gone is never an issue for me as whenever I get back home I have lotsa surpirises! This last trip I had my Bulbo finally break dormancy with 4 new shoots, and several others as well. Need to post a new thread.

[jim blanford]

I have heard of people renting space at a nursery your plants get the same care as thairs, that could be hard this time year. But you could check with some local
G H's. Good Luck. Jim.

[Gin]

If you belong to an orchid club might find someone to take them for the 4 weeks . Gin

[justatypn]

Pupka, how many orchids are we talking. Went away for a long weekend, with a suggestion of one of our members I put my mounts in a plastic clear bag with sphag, came home 3 1/2 days later and yeppers they were in excellent shape, moist, happy. But this was merely my mounts.

[Pupka]

I have about 15 orchids and I must be gone for full 5 weeks...

[justatypn]

I know with my previous post I was extremely impressed with the outcome. If I had 15 or so orchids I would look for a few large clear plastic bags place your well hydrated orchids in the bag(s) with sufficient rock filled saucers for added humidity and surround the bottom of the bag, around your saucers with moist sphagnum moss. Take a water bottle or spray bottle and flood the sphag in standing water as well as filling the humidity trays just high enough where the pots are not in standing water. Do not close the bag, allow it to stay open and get air circulation. I would try this now allowing a transition period and see how it would work. I would not keep them close to a sunny window noting limited air circulation and not wanting them to get to warm.