Who/What cares for your 'chids when you're on vacation??

[katrina]

Originally Posted by weederwoman

What a timely post for me too. I'm going away for a week at the end of Jan., and I've been putting a lot of thought into how to handle things. My first long trip since I started growing orchids. What is this wicking system?

One week...no problem. Just water them well the day before you leave...reduce the time the lights run (if you have lights) and then enjoy your time away. No offense...but you won't be missed for only a week in the dead of winter.

[Orchidbyte]

The wife and I will go on 2 or 3 day long trips with a couple of overnighters, but have not had a week or longer away in years. With all the plants in the yard, a greenhouse full or orchids and other plants, animals and other things around home. We decided a long time ago to make our home a tropical paradise kinda. It seems I am always working on some plants or around house doing things. When we have taken weeks off it usually means we are redoing the kitchen or bathroom or painting or some other way of vacationing without vacationing.

It is hard for me to trust anyone to come by and water and do it right, hell most of the time I wonder if I am watering correctly or doing things right for the vast plant collection we have. We both love growing plants.

At present we have over 800 orchids and about as many other plants in pots or ground, I always say "A plant for every space, a space for every plant" so we have plants everywhere.

[My Green Pets]

Timely post indeed! I left my orchids a couple days ago and am worried about them. They'll be fine for a week you say? I watered everyone really well and unplugged the lights. I guess I'm just concerned about the mounted plants as they are used to being watered daily. Three or four days won't hurt them, right?

Just frustrating because I had been waiting months for them to bloom, and three of them started to pop open their buds the morning I left...

[DweamGoiL]

Originally Posted by weederwoman

What a timely post for me too. I'm going away for a week at the end of Jan., and I've been putting a lot of thought into how to handle things. My first long trip since I started growing orchids. What is this wicking system?

Basically placing wicks into the potted media and placing the other end into a reservoir (bucket full of clean water). The wick will slowly suck up water into the media as it dries out. It's really low tech, but very effective, and if it's only for 2 weeks, it should be great. However, a month or so before I leave, I plan to test it a couple of times just to make sure.

[Raqsharqi]

DweamGoiL, did you make the wicking system up yourself, or is it available for purchase somewhere?

[Cntry]

I use a system that is available at the pet shop. I place filtered rain water into the container and set it for how long I want it to spray in seconds or minutes as well as set it for hours between each time it sprays. So if I want it to spray for 2 minutes every 12 hours it will.

[DweamGoiL]

Originally Posted by Raqsharqi

DweamGoiL, did you make the wicking system up yourself, or is it available for purchase somewhere?

I can't take the credit for this. This idea has been around for a VERY long time

Homemade Wick Watering System for Potted Plants | Home Guides | SF Gate

[Plodde]

I love this wicking idea!! And is that an oncidium twinkle I see in ur terrarium??

[Leafmite]

I had one of my teenagers look after my orchids and other plants when I had to be away. I just left good, written instructions and made certain that the water I wanted her to use was in jugs near the plants. My kids know nothing about plants so the instructions needed to be very, very clear. They were all fine.

[Cntry]

Originally Posted by Plodde

I love this wicking idea!! And is that an oncidium twinkle I see in ur terrarium??

Yes it is Oncidium twinkle 'pink profussion'