Suggestions for taking care of orchids while on vacation?

[MrHungx]

Hello

I'll be leaving for a one month vacation in a week. I have approximately 39 plants in my collection and no one to take care of them while I'm gone. I can't set the plants outside because I'm worried about black widows in the pots when I bring the plants back inside. It would be ideal if I can set the plants in someone's greenhouse (I live in San Diego). The orchids are planted in a bark medium and need to be watered once a week. If someone has space in their greenhouse or any other suggestions, please let me know. I wasn't sure where to post this, so I thought that the beginner's forum should suffice. Have a wonderful day!

[Discus]

I generally organise an "orchid sitter" when I go away - a few quick pointers, and a written list of instructions, and away I go! Such people are generally paid either actual money, or in lavish souvenirs (or both). If you're worried about black widows (and they're that big a problem in SD) then I imagine a vacation in a greenhouse would get the pots "infested" anyway. You may be better off moving them all into the bathtub and hooking up an automated watering system if you really can't "phone a friend".

[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.

[cbuchman]

Originally Posted by Discus

I generally organise an "orchid sitter" when I go away - a few quick pointers, and a written list of instructions, and away I go! Such people are generally paid either actual money, or in lavish souvenirs (or both). If you're worried about black widows (and they're that big a problem in SD) then I imagine a vacation in a greenhouse would get the pots "infested" anyway. You may be better off moving them all into the bathtub and hooking up an automated watering system if you really can't "phone a friend".

I arrange for a plant sitter, but my plants are outside (no black widows in Northern NJ). I also ask this person to keep an eye on the house and pick up stay advertising left on the door/driveway/porch. They know how to reach us, if there is anything amiss.

[pipsxlch]

Contact any commercial growers in your area? I know some here offer plantsitting; some it's their primary business. Just ask if they drbug before pickup!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Ask Andy's Orchids, (Andy's Orchids - Orchid Species - Orchids - Species Specialist - Orchids on a stick), if they provide a house sitting service, or if they know of someone who does.

Andy's is in the city of Encinitas, in San Diego County, not far from you.

[Rowangreen]

I'd suggest asking a visiting cat/pet sitter. That's actually my job. I'm in the UK. I have documentation to show I don't have a criminal record (don't know what the equivalent would be your side of the pond). I do have one client has no pets: I visit once a week to check her plants and open her mail (she goes away for a month at a time so needs that... I don't usually open mail!). Other clients I'm often asked to water plants as well. As long as you can leave pretty simple instructions, it should be well within their capabilities.

[Ordphien]

There's an orchid sitting greenhouse up a bit from San Diego.
They normally take care of it for you until it's spikes and send it back for flowering. And when the show is over your send it back. But they might be able to house then for a month.

I also use a cat/fish/orchid sitter. Mine is pretty dialed in and knows what to do without me telling her.

But the first few times she came over and watched me feed and water everything while I explained it. Which I would suggest.


Also, on a side note, black widows are pretty demure polite spiders.
They tend to hangout on unused corners, in the back. They only really come out at night, and like to avoid confrontation. If you do find one just give it a poke and it should run away in horror.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

[Nanook 2010]

My thoughts

1. If your only concern about moving them outside is spiders....I would think that that is fairly low risk.

2. Jury rigging some automatic watering mechanism in your bathtub sounds like a recipe for disaster.

3. No friends, neighbors, friends kids looking for some easy cash?

4. Is it worth it to hire some stranger to come in and water your plants...what twice? If I was going to hire someone, I would move my plants outside at a minimum and take a chance of a spider rather than give someone access to my house.

5. Renting space at a professional grower sounds like the best bet

Good luck

[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.