watering questions

[Leafmite]

I use saucers under all my potted orchids and other plants, then use clear plastic table clothes to line the shelves and protect the table. I water with a watering can that has a thin spout so I can avoid getting water on the leaves. In the past, I have used shallow storage bins and their lids to catch the extra water. For my mounts, I just toss them in with the goldfish every night, then hang them up in the morning. Gives the fish something interesting to explore. Caring for orchids doesn't need to be difficult or time-consuming.

[justino222]

Thats a great idea, i have goldfish as well lol. I used a rubbermaid tub lid under the shelving unit to catch anything that may drip. I have a mist setting on my shower head and it worked perfectly to water all the plants. Only problem being that there was a lot of debris from the mulch, in the tub.

[mimigirl]

My question is if you dunk, how do you keep the media from floating out of the pot?

[Karkadann]

I water my various "baby" orchids (a couple oncidiums, four cattleya species, two dendrobium spectabile, angraceum and a paph) about two to three times per week, and my phals get a thorough watering about once a week. Their environment and potting media determine the watering schedule. I have a brassia hybrid of some sort that gets watered once every ten days, as its kept in a humid place. My mounted phals receive a good misting twice a day though since they're in a dryer location. These plants keep me busy!

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[Cntry]

How to take care of the debris from the mulch is to place a storage box in the bottom of the tub. Then place the orchids in the box that is in the tub and water your orchids. You can remove any debris by using a strainer once the orchids are removed. Now take the water you have collected in the box and empty it outside. Don't clog up your tub. I use a long storage box used for sweaters. Its 28 qt =23.74 inches ( length) by 16.61(width) inches by 6 inches( height). It fits perfect in my tub. You can fit 2 in tub one for watering one for draining. Get yourself what is called egg crate its white piece of plastic that is used for lighting and you can cut it to the size of the inside of your storage box. Your plants will sit above the water and drain for you. Then place the plants into the other storage container and carry them back into the room your orchids will go. The crates are found in home improvement stores.

[orchidsarefun]

Interesting posts. I use plastic saucers to catch run off , to give me an idea when plant last watered....and all those saucers definitely increase humidity. For the 1x per month drenching, I use a cart to transport to the bathroom. Took me a while to figure out what's best for me. All my seedlings are in sphag and I use a handheld sprayer to water the top layer every so often. I also use compost tea at every watering- made beforehand in an a 2g can heated with an aquarium heater. Pheww...think this is the longest text I have ever sent !

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[mimigirl]

So none of you are actually submerging plants when you say 'dunk' to remove hitchikers from outside?

[soobie]

I sometimes completely submerge the pot to give the plant a thorough soaking. I put the plant pot in a larger container (usually a dishpan) and fill the outer container with water just to the top of the plant pot. That way nothing floats out.

[justino222]

I used to dunk mine when i first got them but as you said @mimigirl the bark floats out. So now (thanks to the great advice on here) i water them in the bath tub. Shower on rain setting and awayyyyyy we go lol.

[isurus79]

Wow, if I had to manually move all of my orchids to water them, I would have gotten out of the hobby loooooong ago!

There are some racks that you can buy to put your orchids on so they're all in the same spot. I've put plastic containers below my plants to catch the water, however Katrina (here on OB) showed my her method to collect the water and I switched over ASAP. She puts boot trays (check out Google for a visual) below her plants and puts a hole in the tray for drainage. Attach a PVC pipe and that excess water will collect in one, easy to move container.

---------- Post added at 11:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:57 AM ----------

I can post pics of my setup when I get home and maybe Katrina can chime in here as well. I can also post the pics she PM'd me if she misses this thread.