Need genius watering ideas!

[amber.leigh]

I ordered another 6 from Fred Clark's newest release which is going to bring me to 15 of his Catasetinae seedlings along with all my other orchids I grow indoors. Does anyone have any genius ideas for watering other than my one by one solution now so I don't kick myself when even more get here?

[estación seca]

You're stuck with what you're doing with that setup. The Catasetinae during times of active growth could go into shallow trays with perhaps a half inch of water. That becomes more difficult with hanging plants. Look up posts here by isurus79 on the PET or polyethylene soda bottle growing method for Catasetinae. It involves a water reservoir.

If you used square pots you could put the plants closer together. Of course you'd need to move plants one by one at the appropriate time for repotting.

Other members here have posted photos of boot trays on the shelves, with plastic mesh like that used in drop-down lighting to keep the pots out of water in the tray.

You might consider trying semi-hydroponics for the Cattleyas. Ray Barkalow, who posts here, invented the method as a way to extend watering intervals while he was traveling a lot for work. The containers will eventually take up more space than you have now, however. If you do try S/H I would recommend learning on one or two strongly growing Cattleyas.

The bare-root Vandas need to get wet every day. That's the reality. Kim (username Fairorchids) has posted on how he pots Vandas so they don't need to be watered every day.

I would have no trouble jamming those pots as closely together as I could get them. The risk of fungal disease spreading in a house is very low.

[amber.leigh]

I was actually wondering if I could do a tray with a little standing water but didn't know if it could create any pest or fungal issues. I plan on doing Stephen's PET method next year once the catasetinae seedlings can be repotted and was actually even dabbling with the idea of possibly slipping these 3 inch pots into clear containers with a water reservoir at the bottom now. I'm definitely not used to the every other day watering and didn't expect these guys to dry out that fast indoors but I am in Florida! 😄

I do expect to get most of these guys outside next year once I move so I guess I really only have to get through one summer!

[Clawhammer]

I use plumbed rack trays to water in place... not sure what size you would need, but like this..

Amazon.com

Then drill it and install this bulkhead
Amazon.com

You can shove 1/2" PVC pipe snugly into the bottom of the bulkhead, leading to the next tray. Under the bottom tray place a large container to catch drain water, or plump it to run directly into a drain.

You can see it in this pic of my grow room

[IMG]Untitled by Eric, on Flickr[/IMG]

If possible, water with a hose for maximum convenience. If that's not possible buy a pump sprayer and take off the nozzle. There are electric pump versions if you don't want to pump.