how to manage watering large cymbidiums

[bjames]

I have several cymbidium orchids and follow the following procedure for watering the small and medium size plants: I take them to the sink and allow water to run through them til the entire pot is totally moistened, then I allow it to drain, I water with fertilizer, and then allow that to totally drain before replacing it in their permanent window position. However, it is impossible to follow this procedure with my very large pots of cymbidiums... they are too heavy to move to the sink. What is the best and most effective way to water these huge plants without leaving some areas of the medium untouched by water/fertilizer?

[WhiteRabbit]

WOW
how big are those cyms?
I was going to suggest bathtub if you have one but I guess if plants are difficult to move that doesnt work either

hand truck maybe??

[Des]

I stand mine in a saucer of water and capillary action ensures that the plant gets what it needs. You will be surprised at how much water a Cymbid can take up on a warm and windy day.
A question , do you water twice the last being with fertilizer? If you do maybe you should try the fertilizer first as my reasoning tells me that once the roots are hydrated they wont be able to take up the fertilizer until the roots dry out again.
That is one of the reasons why I fertilize with every watering,but at a lower EC

[Gin]

When I grew in the house the big ones were on a rack over a large container I used a pump up sprayer when done a shop - slop vacc to remove the water from the container Wal Mart did have round shaped low stands that would fit in a container .
I agree with Des about the Fert . if roots are full of water would be like trying to eat with your mouth full .. Gin

[orchids3]

Des
Welcome Back - how was Oz

[Des]

Originally Posted by orchids3

Des
Welcome Back - how was Oz

Hi Harry, it was a lot hotter than I am used to, but they overcame that with the most efficient air-con systems I have ever seen. I enjoyed the first world environment though and would move there tomorrow if I could! Both my wife and I are struggling to re-adapt to Africa after living for a while in a civilized country where everything works. The Ozzies also don't seem to realise what a wonderful country they have.
The good news is that I was given cd's of their main orchid shows and as you know, I use them to promote growing of Cymbids here. My next talk is next Sunday in East London, which is just over 3hrs drive from my home. Luckily my son lives in EL so we get a chance to visit him too. We were thrilled to be in Perth for the birth of our second granddaughter, Abby, who is every bit as beautiful as her sister, Jenna.
Is your e-mail address unchanged I will send you some pics of some of the most stunning cyms I have ever seen
If the OB folks want i will try and post some here as well
my apologies for hijacking this thread folks.

[orchids3]

Des,
Yes my E-Mail is the same and I would be happy to see what they are growing in OZ.
I think we have it good in the good old USA as well but a lot dont appreciate it. Have seen a lot of the world myself and will always appreciate my homeland. We would be wise to think twice before we change it much more in the direction we are going.

[bjames]

Originally Posted by Des

I stand mine in a saucer of water and capillary action ensures that the plant gets what it needs. You will be surprised at how much water a Cymbid can take up on a warm and windy day.
A question , do you water twice the last being with fertilizer? If you do maybe you should try the fertilizer first as my reasoning tells me that once the roots are hydrated they wont be able to take up the fertilizer until the roots dry out again.
That is one of the reasons why I fertilize with every watering,but at a lower EC

I like your idea of adding the water directly to the dish the plant is standing in. I guess I thought that the bark would not allow the proper capillary action to supply sufficient water/fertilizer to the plant as bark is not as spongy or expandable as soil. I also thought that supplying fertilizer when the plant was dry, might burn the roots. That is why I watered first without fertilizer. But, what you say really makes sense.