Too Much Time Tending Orchids? - Page 6 - Orchid Board

RosieC · #51 07-17-2010, 01:55 PM

Well too much time is the point at which it is a chore rather than an enjoyment, that can be different for everyone, but if you are at or past that point on a regular basis then I think you either need to find a new way of managing things or you need to reduce the number of orchids.

So there are 3 main jobs I have to do. Watering (and misting) repotting, and monthly checking. Checking involves taking pics and notes to record the progress (or otherwise) of the plant compared to the last month. They also get a quick check over while I'm watering unless I'm really short on time.

I take 1/2 an hour to an hour every workday morning, this is mostly watering/misting but ocasionally if I have time and feel like it I will do some checks on those that are due one. Since deciding to repot in hydroton on the phals I've also even had time to repot one in the morning a couple of times.

Some evenings I will also spend an hour or so doing checks (which I really enjoy when the plants are doing well and the check involves spotting new growths, roots or even spikes).

At the weekend I do more of everything, potting, watering and checking. The amount I do varies depending on what else I'm doing, what I feel like, and what needs doing for the orchids. Sometimes I will spend the whole weekend pottering arround them, other weekends I only have the briefest time spent watering the ones that need daily water.

At one point the watering had got too much, but I changed the way I was doing it (stopped taking every one to the sink and started watering them in situ) and it got much easier

RosieC · #52 07-17-2010, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eyebabe

I would say I NEED to spend about 30 minutes per day average unless I am repotting....which I did recently: 75 plants in about 20 hours over 3 Saturdays.
But I fuss constantly!
I check them in the morning before I leave and water if needed (10-30 min) and fill humidifiers if necessary but that is not enough

I check them when I get home and turn my fan on; then I check the humidifiers AGAIN; then my lights come on and I check them AGAIN to make sure none of the plants "slipped" too close or need to be adjusted for the light; then AGAIN before bed to turn off the fan and check the humidifiers AGAIN

On Saturday or Sunday, if there are any chemicals/fertilizers they need I just do it with the watering then.
....I haven't been diagnosed with OCD yet....and in all honesty, I check them because it makes me happy, not because I feel I have to

I was away for about two weeks last month and I did just fine leaving my neighbor to care for them

Sounds a lot like me. I have my more formal watering, repotting, checking time (and even that is something I enjoy... otherwise I would stop buying more) but I also fuss over them all the time. I walk past one and pick it up and study it, I wander out to the greenhouse all the time just to look at them, that's all just because I enjoy looking at them sooo much

Call_Me_Bob · #53 07-17-2010, 02:24 PM

Okay. I don't find it a burden to take care of my orchids at all!! Sometimes I will just go up to say goodnight, and then end up taking hours looking for nubbins!!!!

As for societies, I have yet to go to a meeting. But I have been invited to a meeting tomorrow. I look forward to meeting other people more into orchids than I am. I have only met 1 person into it more than I am. I can't wait. If I don't learn anything, I think that would be ok. I just want to socialize with other people who are as crazy as I am. That's one of the MANY reasons I love ob!!

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #54 07-17-2010, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RosieC

I walk past one and pick it up and study it, I wander out to the greenhouse all the time just to look at them, that's all just because I enjoy looking at them sooo much

I also find this a great opportunity to learn about the plants.

It's fun to find new growths and flowers and such too.

Call_Me_Bob · #55 07-17-2010, 02:58 PM

i also love seeing blooms that arent just on the internet

RosieC · #56 07-17-2010, 02:59 PM

I've not tried a society but know of someone else who had a bad experience describing it as "full of old men who were snooty about the fact I was only a windowsill grower". Makes me think that societies like that only have themselves to blame if they can't get enough new members.

Unfortunately my local society has just moved to far away. It coveres a large area and used to be close enough but has now moved to the far side of the area so it will be more difficult for me to even try.

Nic100 · #57 07-17-2010, 03:54 PM

Great thread - It's reassuring to hear about other people's habits... gives a bit of perspective. I wouldn't like to count how many hours I spend a week determining how long a new root is, how much a leaf has grown, who will spike next, moving them closer to or further away from the window! I usually give them a quick once over in the morning, maybe a bit of misting, and usually do another tour in the evening when I get in from work. I water on a Saturday morning - it used to take me a good hour, but I've been able to cut the time down. I've got 30, and would estimate that I spend about 2 hours a week directly taking care of them. That estimate would rise significantly if I counted the hours I spend just looking for new growth! And it will also drop a lot in the winter when I don't water so frequently.
Currently I've run out of windowsill space - I've got one sitting on the hob at the moment because it gets good light there, but unless I plan to stop cooking altogether that's not a long term option! But it's happy, so I'm happy!