Watering Practices and Fertilizing After Dark

[alsorchids]

Hi Everyone, I have always heard that its a bad idea to water or liquid fertilize after dark. I have held to this rule , but under these conditions it would make life much easier if from time to time I could water and or fertilize in the evening. My orchids are in a greenhouse where there are grow lights and the temperature can be kept at 68 degrees or more. I make sure all leaves and canes are dry after watering. Being the greenhouse stays warm and dry all night is there any reason I can't water in the evening?

[WhiteRabbit]

I'm not an expert, but I would think in the warm, dry greenhouse it would be fine ...
I'm sure others will chime in ...

[GreenpinkE]

I grow a large part of my orchids outside in the summer, and I have NO control over when it rains!

[billc]

Originally Posted by GreenpinkE

I grow a large part of my orchids outside in the summer, and I have NO control over when it rains!

It's the same where the plants grow naturally. The problem we have growing indoors is we can't or don't provide the same volume of air flow that Mother Nature does. Even on a still summer night there is a constant movement of air across the plant.

Bill

[RJSquirrel]

I water mine when they need it morning, noon, or night. I only had watering problems when I re used rinse water from irrigation day or got water in the crowns I didn't clean up..I'm more careful now. Indeed you have good air flow that knocks out a lot of problems of watering any time..If you are going to hose a plant down then put it in a hot stuffy high humidity area or in the cold AC, yeah you are going to have troubles.

I'm a waterer bec I LIKE it

[Lagoon]

I water my 'chids all the time during the evenings. I don't do it every nite but alot of my waterings will get done during the nite times. Very often during the summer time.

I just make sure the leaves are dry and leave the fans on low. I've done this for catts, dens, phals, paphs, phrags, oncids. Sometimes you just can't get them watered thru out the day.

[alsorchids]

Thanks to all of you for your replies and I think you are all right in your thinking and suggestions.

[Shirley]

I think the crux of the matter is the temperature. I don't worry in warm summer weather about what time of day to water but I'm careful in cooler winter weather when I know the temperature is going to drop while plants are still wet.