Vacation: moisture or fresh air!

[mimigirl]

If i will be out of town for a week which is better? Water inside orchids, leave a/c on and cover lightly with plastic or water and dont cover. If i cover they will have humidity but maybe not enough air movement. If not covered they will dry out. Which is better? Or are there other suggestions? Thank you guys!

[RandomGemini]

Depends on what you're growing.

Phals should be fine left alone for a week, as long as you water them before you leave. I'm planning to water my plants the day before I leave and then I will just close the door to my growing space, leave the humidifier off and turn the fan on, on low. I don't have anything that won't survive a week without water in my grow space. The terrarium is another story, I have someone baby sitting that.

[WhiteRabbit]

I don't know what the forecasted temps are...? Might be better to leave a/c off.

[euplusia]

Without further information, I go for fresh air. Most orchids in cultivation are epiphytes by nature. They will recover from a lack of water. But a humid athmosphere without sufficient moving air will easily (sometimes within hours) encourage bacterial and fungus infection to establish.

[katrina]

Originally Posted by euplusia

Without further information, I go for fresh air. Most orchids in cultivation are epiphytes by nature. They will recover from a lack of water. But a humid athmosphere without sufficient moving air will easily (sometimes within hours) encourage bacterial and fungus infection to establish.

I second this advice!

Due to life...there have been times when my orchids had to go a week w/little to no attention. And that includes mounted orchids. Most orchids won't skip a beat from the occasional vacation from watering.

[mimigirl]

It will be in the high 80's. We have to leave it on or the dog will croak.