Question on Watering Method - to wash or not to wash?
 

Hi Everyone! I have a quick question for everyone on a particular step of my watering method. I just want to find out if I am being to thorough (hubby thinks so), so here it goes.

When I water my potted orchids once a week, I have plastic containers that I set them in and soak them to give them a good drink. No problems as long as I don't get lazy and leave them soaking for too long. Anyways...these plastic containers, I wash them by hand (no dishwasher) before each use, sometimes they have a chance to dry out before use and sometimes they don't. After I use them I stack them while still wet until the following week and then I wash them again before use. My hubby asks if it's really necessary that I wash them with hot soapy water and why I can't just give them a rinse before re-using them again. My thinking is that I leave them stacked wet for a week and they don't dry out being all nestled together and I don't know if bacteria or what will grow in the water that doesn't dry out. So......am I taking it to far? Can I save my self some time and just give them a quick rinse? I don't re-use the same pot for the same orchid either, I have to many to really keep track of that kind of thing...lol. I also didn't know if with that small amount of water if I would run the risk of transferring diseases or whatever should a problem ever arise.

Ok...so let's hear it! I'm ready!:biggrin:

Cleanliness is next to Orchidliness!

I don't wash mine, but then I occasionally get scale epidemics too :)

Well I have 50 to 70 pots so washing them takes about 15 to 20 minutes and the hot water really heats the house up during the summer making the AC run more. 15 to 20 minutes isn't so bad I'm bored...lol. I guess I am more worried about spreading diseases and bacterial stuff then bugs!

Becca, I do the same thing with my bark media potted plants, except I wash the water containers after I use them too.
Joann

I use the same method for watering my chids. I just rinse the saucers well, but I make sure they dry overnight before I stack them and put them away for next time.

How about spraying them with a bleach solution. 2 parts bleach(20%) should take care of it. Also, can you store them upside down? They might dry then.

Bill

You're certainly not doing them any harm by washing, but I doubt it's doing too much to help either. When you're potting up the plants with any organic medium you're eventually going to get a significant bacterial/fungal buildup anyway....that's just how the potting medium eventually decomposes. Most of the bacteria and fungi are likely to be beneficial to the plant, releasing nutrients as they break down the potting medium. There are many varieties of bacteria and fungi out there and most are not pathenogenic to any plant unless they're already weakened or injured.

I vote with Tyler (and your hubby).

I don't wash mine. I have less than I need for the number of plants so they get a rince out between plants but that's all.