Soaking multiple orchids in a common solution.

[daveh_sf]

In a recent thread ("New Fertilizer"), BruceP wrote the following in one reply:
"Some might think it unwise, but I don't think you need fresh solution for each plant. It may work out OK for a few plants, but as your collection grows it won't be either practical or economical. I think you'd find it easier to get a larger basin and water multiple plants at the same time. It sounds like one of those things that people advise others to do but don't do themselves."
I've often seen it advised not to share water or fertilizer solutions with multiple orchids, because of the risk of spreading fungus or virus. But couldn't you just add a little Physan 20 to your solution each time? Physan 20 is cheap, and kills both fungus and virus. It seems like it would be completely safe that way, since the solution would be sterile.

[Wjs2nd]

Well I have heard about spreading a virus with watering by a basin but not fungus, so I'm unsure about that. If you have something with a virus chances are you may have already spread it. According to what I have read, virus can spread easy.

I'm not sure if Physan 20 would have any effect on the fertilizer.

A spray mister makes watering faster and you can use fertilizer water in them too. Plus, it helps from wasting fertilizer water.

[Connie Star]

I have 4 plants, all mounted, that I water in a common bucket by soaking them. I have no other way of watering them, and I've avoided acquiring any more mounted plants. I've been doing this for about 2 years, and so far, so good.

[Leafmite]

I really wish that all orchid stock had to be tested for viruses. I have a nice collection of non-orchids and really would hate these to get a virus. Many would be difficult to replace. Outside, I have a chestnut tree that has many American Chestnut characteristics and, so far, it is fighting off the blight. If infected by a virus, it would probably succumb. I have fruit trees, other nut trees, berry bushes, perennial flowers, and herbs. I live in an agricultural area. It is odd that viruses are allowed unchecked when they can do so much damage.

It is easier to share water for the orchids in Wintertime. We have ultra hard water and must use a water softner. I have had two orchids separated from the others and enjoying their own water supply because of imperfections in their leaves but I think the one suffered from too much light and the other may have been too cold.

For a while this fall, I did not share water, and lost eight orchids to black rot. The water used was distilled. So...I share water now among the orchids.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Wjs2nd

Well I have heard about spreading a virus with watering by a basin but not fungus, so I'm unsure about that. If you have something with a virus chances are you may have already spread it. According to what I have read, virus can spread easy.

Bacteria and fungi can also be spread by water. And they can still spread even if you don't share water, through the air. That's how it goes.
In the ideal situation every orchid would get its own water. But it is time consuming and extremely wasteful, especially as water is getting to be a precious thing now. Personally I take the risk of soaking several at once. I try to limit the risks though by always soaking the same plants together. That way if there is a disease issue, it is contained to only 4-5 orchids.

Originally Posted by Leafmite

It is odd that viruses are allowed unchecked when they can do so much damage.

If it was that simple, there would be no viruses anymore, becaue all growers don't want to see virus in their crop. Vegetable growers and research institutes throw millions at research. While you can produce virus free plants easily, keeping them that way is not. The trouble is removing the virus from the environment. Insects carry and spread them. Pot plant commercial growers often water by sub-irrigation (all the plants soak in the same water) and though the water is sterilized before they re use it, if they have even one disease plant it risks spreading. But watering any other way may be too expensive.

[Wynn Dee13]

Originally Posted by daveh_sf

In a recent thread ("New Fertilizer"), BruceP wrote the following in one reply:
"Some might think it unwise, but I don't think you need fresh solution for each plant. It may work out OK for a few plants, but as your collection grows it won't be either practical or economical. I think you'd find it easier to get a larger basin and water multiple plants at the same time. It sounds like one of those things that people advise others to do but don't do themselves."
I've often seen it advised not to share water or fertilizer solutions with multiple orchids, because of the risk of spreading fungus or virus. But couldn't you just add a little Physan 20 to your solution each time? Physan 20 is cheap, and kills both fungus and virus. It seems like it would be completely safe that way, since the solution would be sterile.

I don't think Physan 20 will completely sterilize the water.

[RosieC]

I use separate water for those that are soaked in their cache pots, but then poor it out and use it again on my 'non-orchid' plants. While we were going through a really dry period (it's been raining non-stop since they announced we were official in a drought) I would then use anything left to water the garden tubs and other garden plants.

For the mounts they all go through the same soak bucket because otherwise I would use far too much water. I consider it a risk and new plants are always last to go through it as they are a higher risk of having something I don't know about. My mounts are only a small portion of my collection though so it's a risk I'm willing to take.

The ones in the greenhouse usually have water poured straight through them onto the ground, but that's rain water I've collected so unless I'm running out (which is rare) I don't worry too much about it just running back into the ground.

[The Mutant]

I soak mine together just as Camille do and for the same reasons. All suspicious plants go in last and I always try to soak the same chids in the same water.

So far so good and I keep my fingers crossed that it'll continue like that.

[naoki]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

I really wish that all orchid stock had to be tested for viruses. I have a nice collection of non-orchids and really would hate these to get a virus. Many would be difficult to replace.

Are there any known virus which can transmit from orchid to non-orchids???? I've never heard of them. Most virus usually have narrow host ranges.

[kavanaru]

Originally Posted by naoki

Are there any known virus which can transmit from orchid to non-orchids???? I've never heard of them. Most virus usually have narrow host ranges.

Tobacco Mosaic Virus, for example goes in both directions...