What kind of Orchids do you have Jocierk? I ask because I'm curious how your orchids are liking the daily mistings in addition to weekly watering? I underestimated just what you can do with
misting and how great of a supplement it can be for, like you said, plants that need at least a bit more than weekly watering. Which makes it an even better idea to have some kind of tray, covering or dish under your pots as Justino is wondering. I have some plants in cache pots, some sit in little plastic dishes (can get for between $0.50 - $3 depending where you go and what size you looking for), and some others just sit on the plant shelf, I tip them on their side to drain excess before taking back.
I've run into this problem myself mostly with more fine bark mixes. Even if you fish/strain the bark out afterwards I think it's just a headache and would prefer not to dunk those!
I would like to do this as well because it would surely be more effective than what I am currently doing now that everyone is back indoors. Today I took just about everybody (60+ plants) about 15 at a time to the bathroom. Then I filled 4/gallon jugs with fertilizer/water solution and poured the mix over each pot as I held it individually. Take them back. Fill jugs again, repeat, until they're all done. All in all it took about 2 hours. And the only reason they didn't ALL get watered/fed is because I forgot about the mini Catts, will do tomorrow. They're on a 2' stand and I'm going to take the whole thing and put in shower and our water over using same method.
The only reason I'm not putting everyone in the tub and watering more liberally is because one of my Oncids came down with possible Brown Rot (though I'm still not sure that's actually what it is) and it got watered and soaked with a lot of others. That caused me to worry, treated them ALL with Physan 20 and now I'm just playing it safe. Was warned in the spring when I first got addicted, then got lazy.
So I can be long-winded Justino but wanted to share my experience with you. I second others in that you don't need to water daily, especially now that it's Fall/Winter. You start to learn what plants want more water but so far I know Phals & Catts can take it a bit more dry. Oncids, Paphs & Zygos are more thirsty with Paphs being the thirstiest - anyone disagree? I don't have other species than these.
Good luck!
I enjoy hearing stories. I have a hobby or breeding finch. The ones I breed are african finches. So they need warm temps year round. So i thought it a good place to put my orchids when i brought them indoors. And i have a humidifier in there as well. Im thinking it will be perfect and hoping so as well lol. Really want to try this shelf water system as well.
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