How do YOU soak your orchids?

[greenpassion]

Hi all. I had recently read posts by a member who has concerns regarding watering when going out of town. I too am soon to be going away, for 6 days. I noted answers that suggested soaking, and I have questions.

I have 28 phals, 9 of which are mini phals, in 2" and 3" pots. I am not so concerned about the larger ones, in 5" to 8" pots, but the little ones (all in bark) have required watering nearly every other day.
I want to try the soaking method, and do the suggestion of soaking the evening prior to going, then watering heavily the morning I leave. I have always watered my orchids by taking them to the sink and pouring premixed water through the pots, draining them, and moving on to the next.
As I have quite a few to soak, is there a way to soak more than one at a time? I would think that it's not a good idea to use the same water for each one.? And, (sorry about this!) doesn't the bark float? How does one keep the bark chips from floating out of the pot? Unless the water level should not come up over the top of the pot...? Also, would it be beneficial to top dress the little ones with moss to aid in retaining moisture?

[Judi]

Everyone grows and waters differently doing what works best for them. I have too many orchids to take to the sink so I soak them. I have a separate container for each plant, just a little bigger in diameter and coming up to at least half the height of the pot but preferably higher (plastic food storage containers work quite well). I fill the shorter plastic containers to the top and higher ones so that the water level is at least half way up the plant's pot. Depending on the temperature and humidity I water every 5 to 10 days for a half an hour to an hour. I use plain water one time and fertilize lightly the next time. Then I remove the pots from the container, drain, rinse, and air dry the containers so they are ready for the next soaking. I use bark, but the bark doesn't float since the soaking water never goes higher than about half the height of the pot.

Hope this helps!

[Dollythehun]

I soak and inspect once a week and water in place once a week. I use containers as Judi does but I sterilize them after each plant by spraying each w Lysol free and clear. I would put moss on the tops of the minis, turn off your heat mats and turn down/off the lights. I'm positive someone will disagree but that's what I would do. And heavens sake, enjoy! Your trip. Don't worry about them the whole time you're gone.

[Judi]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

I soak and inspect once a week and water in place once a week. I use containers as Judi does but I sterilize them after each plant by spraying each w Lysol free and clear. I would put moss on the tops of the minis, turn off your heat mats and turn down/off the lights. I'm positive someone will disagree but that's what I would do. And heavens sake, enjoy! Your trip. Don't worry about them the whole time you're gone.

I agree--have a fantastic trip! Orchids, especially phals, are more resilient than most people think.

[Leafmite]

Your Phals should be fine for six days. Just water them before you go and, if the roots look dehydrated when you return, soak them for a few hours until the roots turn green again. I have forgptten to water my NoID Phals for a couple of weeks, sometimes, and the roots look really good after a good dose of water.

[chantrelle]

I read the same post about watering Phal. when going out of town and It got me thinking about what will I do.

I also thought about putting some Sphanum moss on top of the pots.

Another idea that came up to me, was to put my pots into larger pots which contain 1’’ of LECA at and 1/2’’ of water. This way there would be some humidity being supplied from the bottom. That would be more for the orchids that don’t like to dry like Miltoniopsis or some Oncidium. Does that sound good ?

[jcec1]

I put them in washing up bowls with a couple of inches of wet moss, and put them in the middle of a room away from any direct sunlight with the blinds closed.

I did this when i lived in TX in the height of summer with the A/C off - no issues.

Also I've had orchids shipped to me that have been in complete darkness and who knows what else for more than six days, so I don't believe they will suffer with your lights off.

[rbarata]

Water as you usually do before leaving.
6 days is not enough to kill any plant.

[Bulbopedilum]

I don't think you need to soak or anything if it's only 6 days.

If I were you I would just water them right before I leave.

If you're really worried, try drip (or "leak", as I like to call it) irrigation sort of thing. For example, get a large bottle of water and make a tiny, tiny hole. this way your plants will stay hydrated but not too hydrated for days.

[WaterWitchin]

All of my orchids are rarely watered more often than once a week with a few exceptions.

If it's a water lover, e.g., phrag, I've already adjusted for it by the way it's potted or in a saucer if necessary.

For the mounted and tolumnia, they're on a timed mister; otherwise they wouldn't survive me.

I don't think phals would bat an eye at not being watered for five or six days. Go, and enjoy.