Suggestions for taking care of orchids while on vacation?

[Ray]

Besides a sitter, you might consider moving them outdoors, and setting up a small lawn sprinkler on a timer so they'll be watered every few days.

I have a few customers that set their plants on a sheet of AquaMat, then use a garden hose timer to soak that periodically. The fabric wicks water to the pots, and they draw it up from that.

[Ordphien]

Originally Posted by james mickelso

Cal Pacific Orchids in Encinitas, California has orchid hotel services. They are very responsible folks and lots of people put their plants there. They are reasonable too. 760 436 0317 They are at 1122 Orpheus St right off the I-5 at Leucadia Blvd.

That's the one!
I've only ever passed by it....

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[MrHungx]

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

MrHungx, (really? LOL)

I like the idea suggested by Discus to put them all in a tub and set up auto sprinkler. I would further elaborate on this suggestion.

Get one of those three shelving units made with hard plastic that are open shelving. Get a flat sprinkler hose, and attach to the underside of each shelf, winding it through the shelves. Place your plants on the shelves. Get a clear plastic shower curtain(s) and wrap the outside of the shelves, creating a greenhouse. Keep the top of the shelve open to allow evaporation. Get an automatic sprinkler timer, figure out how you can attach that device to your bath tub facet, set the device to water every four days.

I had a similar challenge when I was assigned to work in Brazil for an entire month, and the person that would normally care for my house was going with me! I wish I kept this contraption together, but I've used all of the parts now for other purposes.

My username is just my last name and first initial. Nothing special, really.

I contacted the nursery where I bought the orchids from and the owner has agreed to let me leave my orchids in his greenhouse for a month without charge. I was doing some addition and discovered that I had bought nearly $700 worth of orchids from him