Ice cube watering

[LuvPhals]

No ice cubes! It would be like someone putting 3 ice cubes down the back of your shirt! Wow that would feel great!

[pipsxlch]

Sorry to be a downer, but I seriously doubt that your local groceries/Walmarts/big boxes wil buy any of your plants. They are usually ordered by their corporates to only buy from specific mass vendors. The small business florists and garden centers might be interested, though. The plants will probably have to be in bloom to intrigue them.

[donita_grif]

This was the first time I heard such thing. Ice Cubes instead of water? My plants might die when I do that. I wonder if that would work if the weather is super hot.

Regards,
Donita

[lepetitmartien]

Most tropical orchids die a higher than freezing ice temperature, so imagine the effect of ice…

The marketing guy who invented this should try on itself just to see, we are as tropical oriented than our 'chids.

[flhiker]

These are not human. As much as we want them to be.

[Island Girl]

If you have a Whole Foods in your area, they sell orchids from local nurseries, (@ least the ones in my area -Winston Salem, NC- do) I have bought some beautiful orchids at my Whole Foods.... Although if my mom has tagged along, she gives me a stink-eye when I stop to look at all the beautiful 'chids... Hehehe

Good Luck with your business!... I always like to support local businesses, so I wish u well! Where is Fort Collins anyways? I think I could be convinced into buying more local 'chids! Hehehe

[violetta]

Last winter I used to water my Phals with cold (not icy) water from the kitchen sink. Then some of the leaves started looking funny, and searching for the cause I discovered 'Mesophyll Cell Collapse'.

Check this: Mesophyll Cell Collapse

[Cattleya17]

That is a cool article!!! Using ice as a watering method Is really is not the best thing to do for your orchids plain and simple. The risks outweigh the minimal benefits.

The plant would need a good layer of ice to water the ENTIRE root system adequately. And if the plant is grown in bark it would not be wise seeing how bark does not wick like soil or moss, a couple of ice cubes would not water the whole plant .If you can dump ice on a plant you can certainly take the time to actually pour water on it. Orchids are not plants for the impatient gardener or those looking for convenience.

While they are not humans a lot of the popular and most commonly grown orchids I.E Phalaenopsis, prefer conditions we humans also enjoy so it is a reasonable comparison. We all love our orchids I'm not speaking for everyone but they are a part of my family they are human enough for me

I think you should focus on local shops as well! I wish there was someone like you in my area where I know I could get quality plants that were cared for and in good shape when I got them! I think if you have the supply to sustain a business go for it!!!! Have a back up plan if it doesn't take off, but I'm sure it will orchids are HOT! And in demand also you always have eBay you will most certainly have success there.

Just another thought you could add a more on eBay saying that local buyers can pick up their win and you could spread the word that way too!

[crobb100]

I originally received an unknown "Just Add Ice" Phal from a grocery store, in bloom, about 1 1/2 years ago. The watering method didn't seem to make sense to me, so I did some research, repotted into orchid media from RePotMe.com when it finished blooming, fertilized with MSU from the same source, and water every 7-10 days with warm water and the fertilizer 3 weeks out of 4.

The plant has done well. It's now sending up a new flower shoot, and looks very happy.

Since that one looked so good, I acquired another Phal, Jiuhbao Queen Diamond "Kauai Sunset" (Chiau Xai Queen x Haui Jin Diamond) last May, in bloom, which also appears to be very happy but hasn't yet flowered again.

I appear to be hooked. The ice method doesn't make a lot of sense to me, as it seems to me that it's recommended to soak the media thoroughly, let them drain, then water again when they start to dry out. Ice didn't do that.

[The Orchid Boy]

The ice method does not work for me. Except with masdevallias. I don't use it to regularly water them, just to cool the roots off once in a while.