Misting/drip systems - Orchid Board

Kailyn · #1 02-05-2014, 12:01 PM

Hello everyone
First the situation: I spend from feb-sept rotating into a remote location for work. I am gone 6 weeks at a time. In the past for this season I have been bringing my orchids to my moms house. This obviously isn't ideal as they have to adjust to new conditions twice a year if not 3 times. I do my best to keep things as similar as possible for them but I do think it sets them back.

I am looking at automatic misters/drip systems suitable for in home use. I've found a drip system I think would suit my needs but I am not sure if this is good enough for orchids can anyone share their experience? The oasis self watering system is the one I'm looking at. Automatic Plant Watering Systems and Misting Supplies - Mist and Water Timers, Drip Systems, Valves, Nozzle Cleaner and Filters from ACF

WhiteRabbit · #2 02-05-2014, 08:23 PM

ALToronto · #3 02-06-2014, 10:59 AM

I wouldn't trust any automatic system for 6 weeks without regular checkups. First, the water in the reservoir is going to get very moldy over 6 weeks, so somebody will need to come over and change it every few days. Second, you would need to repot your orchids into media that can handle being drip irrigated without holding onto too much water (e.g. lava rock). Third, if there is more water being delivered than the orchids can absorb and the lava rock can evaporate, where will it go? You need some sort of overflow management.

But my main point is - don't leave it unmonitored for 6 weeks; you can end up with a disaster upon return home.

Kailyn · #4 02-06-2014, 05:13 PM

It wouldn't be completely unmonitored I have fish that need someone in every few days to feed. I am looking for something that can be adjusted to my plants needs if such a thing exists. I dont have that many plants so having a drip tray is also not a big deal. I wouldn't just set it up and walk away I would run it while I am home first to figure things out. Just needing something that is suitable for orchids, again if such a thing exists...

ALToronto · #5 02-06-2014, 07:24 PM

A drip irrigation system could work, as long as your plants are in lava rock, LECA or gravel - something inorganic that cannot be water-logged. But then you would have to water them every day when you're home.

Unfortunately, you need to make a choice - either have the plants in bark, sphagnum or other organic media that retains water and doesn't need attention for a week at a time, or put them in a medium that cannot be over-watered, and then water them continuously. If you choose the latter, you will need to add VERY dilute fertilizer to the water, about 10 ppm of Nitrogen, since any more would overfeed the plants.

Discus · #6 02-07-2014, 06:01 AM

I strongly suspect the Oasis system would be too damp for most orchids. As others have pointed out, if you're moving to a system that keeps the root zone much damper than usual, you're going to need to change growing medium.

One somewhat more complex idea might be to move your plants into something like semi-hydro, and then have a timer system "flush" the pots for you on whatever schedule you deem appropriate; you'll need something that will take the overflow and divert it down a drain somewhere, however.

If you have mounted plants, a misting system could work quite well.

---------- Post added at 12:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:00 PM ----------

If you have someone coming in "every couple of days" to feed the fish, that's pretty close to the once or twice a week watering schedule that works with most orchids anyway - and they'll need to be doing water changes for the fishtanks, so they might as well move some water for your plants too

Kailyn · #7 02-08-2014, 10:14 AM

for now they live with mom my when I'm gone as she's the most observant green thumb I know. I just don't trust the chids to not have any problems. This year they got moved with there light and heat mat so hopefully that helps keep things somewhat more stable for them. this misting /drip system is going to require more thought and planning. Thanks for the imput! if any comes across something please send me a msg!