vacation care
 

:hello every body
want to know the best way or what others find successful
to water plants when on holiday for a week to 2 weeks
thanks
craigo12:biggrin:

Well, Craig, there are a lot of factors to consider. Firstly what are you growing and where? What are the seasonal problems where you are? For instance, when I go away, as I grow Phalaenopsis, mainly and I'm in the north UK midlands, I water them well, position them in a light place but out of direct sun and they are fine. If you are growing things in a greenhouse or under grow lights, or they need humidity or fans running then you may need to set up timers. If they need a lot of watering you may to ask a friend to come in.

Have a well taught friend or other orchid grower to come in at minimum intervals to do the watering if more than 1 week. If only one, water just before leaving and as soon as you get back. If you have mounted ones that need daily take them to a friend or other orchid grower.

Depends what season you leave at, where they are growing...
In the winter, I turn down the heat a bit, water well before leaving, and they manage 2 weeks fine. In the warmer months I move them all to a dimmer spot, and in the coolest room. In the summer I have a friend come in once a week to water. The most fragile ones (in fast drying little pots, mounts, water hogs) go live with friends.

I agree with the advice given in the previous posts. Orchids with psuedobulbs (cattleya, encyclia etc.) can easily go two weeks without watering. Large phals with good root systems can also make it two weeks if they're in plastic pots. But small phals and paphs in small pots will need to be watered. I would place any small plants with a friend to keep them watered. Have a good vacation.

Here is a recent discussion on this topic:

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...away-home.html