Watering Idea - Orchid Board

mnguyen110 · #1 03-23-2013, 01:13 AM

Hello everyone,

I was thinking about mixing fertilizer with water in a big bucket and then dunking all my orchids in one after another. This why I'm not wasting water. Of course I will need it flash them one an month or so with just water.

Is there any cons to this idea?

Ordphien · #2 03-23-2013, 01:27 AM

That's what I do...
I pay for my RODI water by the gallon so every drop is precious.

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escualida · #3 03-23-2013, 01:49 AM

By doing this you are likely to spread diseases from one plant to another...

isurus79 · #4 03-23-2013, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by escualida

By doing this you are likely to spread diseases from one plant to another...

Exactly. Bad idea.

Ordphien · #5 03-23-2013, 02:35 AM

I don't really care much about diseases so it's not really a factor in my watering schedule.
But if it's a concern for you I would follow their advice and avoid it.

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Leafmite · #6 03-23-2013, 02:52 AM

As our water is softened, I have to collect rain water and buy distilled. I reuse the water, too.

RJSquirrel · #7 03-23-2013, 03:37 AM

If your plants are clean( IE no virus. bacterial rot, fungal infections or pest) your okey.
If they arent all clean you could generate a lot of trouble for yourself and your plants.

I treat all mine like they need to have The Universal Bio Hazard rules applied and try to make an honest effort not to re use water or media to save a few bucks..

Im going to quote "You spend a lot of money on your orchids why are we being cheap taking care of them?"

I dont know but dont be cheap with your plants. Buy Cheap Tofu instead

silken · #8 03-23-2013, 11:24 AM

I agree, you could wipe out your collection by sharing the bath water. sometimes virus doesn't show up for a while and the plant looks and blooms fine. I know, every living thing likely carries some viruses and some in orchids are less troublesome than others. But I just tossed one that tested positive for two of the worse viruses, Odontoglossum Ringspot Virus and Cymbidium Mosaic Virus and I wouldn't have wanted it to spread to everything. It was a Cattleya.

orchidsarefun · #9 03-23-2013, 11:48 AM

I am sure that you would also spread insect pests - mites and mealybugs. As it is those darn mealybugs seem to appear out of nowhere and once you get them, they seem to be yours for life.

bellini girl · #10 03-23-2013, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ordphien

I don't really care much about diseases so it's not really a factor in my watering schedule.
But if it's a concern for you I would follow their advice and avoid it.

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IMHO, best not to. If you truly don't care much about diseases then I guess you'll be fine with watering dead plants. 'Cos that's what will happen eventually if one or more plants get sick and infect the others.