What to do when leaving on vacation?

[rocio]

Hi,

I'm new to this board !

I'm new also to growing orchids. I have Phals, Cymbidiums, Vanda and Dens. They are all in the growing stage now, almost all of them have new growths !!!

My climate is getting really hot, not that humid and very sunny. I'm leaving for a two week vacation. Does anyone have any tips on how to leave my plants for these 2 weeks comfortable since they will not get water?

Thanks so much,

Rocio

[galgoa]

Welcome here

I always ask a favor from my neighburs to do the minimum activity. I've no better idea...

[Joseia]

Originally Posted by rocio

Hi,

I'm new to this board !

I'm new also to growing orchids. I have Phals, Cymbidiums, Vanda and Dens. They are all in the growing stage now, almost all of them have new growths !!!

My climate is getting really hot, not that humid and very sunny. I'm leaving for a two week vacation. Does anyone have any tips on how to leave my plants for these 2 weeks comfortable since they will not get water?

Thanks so much,

Rocio

My wife and I will be visiting Spain this September - I can water your orchids for you in Spain and you can visit the US and water mine.

Seriously though, I arrange to have someone water my plants while on vacation. I pay my 11 year old nephew (he would do it for free if asked, he's a good kid); he doesn't care about plants, but he does like earning enough money to buy three or four Xbox games.

[howze01]

If you don't have anyone you can trust to water them you can try and call a local greenhouse and see if they board plants.

[jcec1]

When I lived in a hotter climate and went on vacation I bought sphagnum moss and basins. I really soaked the moss in the basins, put the orchids in them and put them in a shady place out of direct sunlight. I often left them for two weeks like this, it never did them any harm, in fact my phals would often extend there aerial roots because of the increased humidity.

[Laserbeak]

My mother's friend from work is going to be staying in my apartment for a few days while we go to my sister's wedding in California. She's thinking about moving to this neighborhood so it's plus for both of us. She'll take care of my cat and plants.

[dounoharm]

two weeks isn't bad...most house orchids only get watered every week to ten days anyway....I agree to put wet moss around the bases of the plants and keep them shady...the vanda is the only one I would worry about....if you could take it to a friends house and let them water it, that would be great! vandas need water almost every day in hot weather...if you cant do that, then wrap the roots in wet moss and put it in shade also....keeping your plants in strong light will make them use more water....so back them all back from the light....think for a minute....people ship orchids all the time in cardboard boxes, sometimes for over a week in shipping, and they recover well.....your plants may go into 'hibernation' and take a few weeks to recover, but they wont be harmed....have a good trip!

[Fairorchids]

Place plants outdoors in shady spot.
Hook up a sprinkler on a hose, with electronic valve & timer, so it comes on for 5 min every day.

[bnegrete]

great comments!! very helpfull

[rocio]

Thanks so much for all your helpful tips!! I'll water them thoroughly before leaving and will put some spahgnum moss on top of the media. I'll move them to the center of the room and hope everything is ok!! I'll let you know how they're doing when I come back !