Watering bulbs and leaves - should I?
 

As a Phal grower, I know that I do not want to water their leaves. I water the media.

For Oncs (just got my first 2, both with long thin leaves, 1 traditional and 1 in S/H) I understand that they can take some water and can be outside plants that get rained on, etc.

My question is, do I want to water the whole plant, including the bulbs and leaves? Or is it just that it is ok if that happens.

And if I’m a 25ppm N at every watering kind of guy, does that change the answer?

Thanks for the help as I grow my new oncs.

I have about 50 Oncidium alliance hybrids growing in a shadehouse. I water them by spraying from above - with sprinklers. I don’t recall loosing one.


Edit
———————————-
Oops, sorry. Just reread your post and realised you were asking specifically if there is any advantage to watering from above, rather then whether it does any harm. I don’t know the answer to that.

It sounds like you're asking about the potential benefit of doing so, and there really isn't one.

Yes, the plants have the capability of nutrient uptake via the foliar route, but it is very small, as the cuticle layers - present to prevent water loss - don't really allow the tissues to wet easily. (The cutex is much thicker on plants without substantial pseudobulbs.)

Jeffrey, no harm at all watering from above so long as the water does in fact reach the compost too...that is how they get watered naturally in their rain forest habitat. BUT I have found that in cultivation it is wise to ensure the foliage gets a chance to dry within reasonable time to avoid any chance of rot setting in. I have been to the big commercial growers in Holland and that is exactly how they water, but within the entire regime. I too have overhead watering (from mains water) in my Odontoglossum greenhouse and they love it but I use it only when I am absent to do watering myself. I would really like to make it more permanent but have not yet devised a satisfactory method of incorporating fertilizer into the spray.

Metering pump and small tank of concentrate.

Thanks all,

The Onc Isthmi is in a clay pot and is VERY crowded. In fact, some bulbs are growing somewhat vertically from other bulbs and hang over the pot edge. The roots from these are all aerial, as there is no medium under them for them to go into.

Since blooming is approaching (fall bloomer), I will not repot right not, but will repot when done.

In the meantime, I'm misting the aerial roots on the new bulbs daily and considering giving them some loose sphagnum to help hold a bit of moisture.

And the main pot with the "real" roots, I am guessing at and watering 2x per week. I really can't get in there to see or feel how it is doing re moisture. It is that crowded.