Vacation suggestions - Orchid Board

Maree · #1 01-09-2008, 12:58 PM

Hello,
I bought my first phal orchid a month ago. I was so scared to develop root rot I transplanted into bark in a pot with drainage holes. The plant seems to be doing great. 4 new buds and along with the 5 flowers when purchased I have a new bloom opening. I water every 5 days to avoid serious drying out, and have even put sphag moss on the top, but it's still very dry in 5 days. It's in a window with southern exposure.
Now my question... I will be headed on vacation for the Daytona 500 and away 8 days, how would I prolong the moisture without harming the plant?

Oldguypops · #2 01-09-2008, 01:47 PM

Do you have a dripping faucet?

I have a drip system for some of my orchids, but a slow dripping faucet will work fine if your water is good.
Let it drip right near the base of the plant, not on it, and it will keep your medium from drying out. I have mine set to drip every 10-15 seconds or so, and the plants are thriving.
I also water every 2 days normally in the winter because the house is so dry.

Chris

Dorothy · #3 01-09-2008, 02:06 PM

Don't put your phal in direct sunlight .. it will burn the leaves .. If in a southern exposed window .. make sure there is a sheer curtain to sheild away any direct rays.

Phals like bright light but not direct sun.

Becca · #4 01-09-2008, 02:12 PM

Hi Maree! I live in a very dry place as well and humidity is always an issue, so I grow inside an orchidarium. A few I grow outside of the orchidarium in the house and seem to be fine. My suggestion for you is, the day you leave, I would water your 'chid. I don't think it will really hurt it to water it the day you leave and then water it when you get back, it isn't like you are doing this all the time to it. I went on vacation for about 9 days, while I grow in an orchidarium, everything was just fine, a little dry, but still happy! Do you have someone who could stop in and water it for you once while you are gone? Those are my only two suggestions, hope they help!

Oh, and be sure to have fun on vacation!

quiltergal · #5 01-09-2008, 03:13 PM

I agree with Becca. If you water right before you go and as soon as you get back it shouldn't cause any undue stress. It would be different if it was summer when it's hotter.

Grandma M · #6 01-09-2008, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quiltergal

I agree with Becca. If you water right before you go and as soon as you get back it shouldn't cause any undue stress. It would be different if it was summer when it's hotter.

I would place it away from the window where it gets some light but not enough to dry it too quickly.

Ross · #7 01-09-2008, 04:08 PM

Perhaps place it in a plastic bag?

camille1585 · #8 01-09-2008, 05:35 PM

I have left my phal at home for almost 10 days last winter, no problem at all. Of course, that was back when I just had 2 orchids!
I moved it so it wasn't getting any more direct light, and I placed it on a pebble tray with my other houseplants to try to maintain some humidity around it. I watered well before leaving and top dressed the pot with some damp sphag. The plant was pretty thirsty when I got back and I had to give it a good soak, but it was otherwise ok.

Mine did not have flowers, but don't the blooms wilt quickly when the plant lacks water??

Maree · #9 01-09-2008, 06:26 PM

Ok, I took your suggestions and moved the orchid out of direct light. I also wrapped saran wrap around the outside of the pot with holes. I'll see if it doesn't dry out so quickly. Thanks so much for all your advice.

CodiMN · #10 01-09-2008, 10:41 PM

I just got back from a long trip to Florida myself!

I just made sure I watered my 'chids really well before I left. If you turn the thermostat down in your home, you may consider Ross' idea of a plastic bag. It'll help keep the humidity, and if it's translucent/clear you may be able to get a little light in and maybe help it keep comfortable temperature-wise if you turn the thermostat down in the house.

While I was gone, I kept my 'chids in the orchidarium, watered the morning I left (really good soaking on the medium), and placed a little humidifier/mist machine on a timer to keep the humidity up. The day before I actually put some moss on top of some exposed roots...*gasp* my first time using moss!

Thank goodness I had no rot, and came home to happy, but hungry kids (humidity was fine, but it was feedin' time!).

Good luck and have a great trip! Post pics

when you get back!