Orchid care when one is away from home
 

Am wondering what is the best way to deal with one's orchids when one has to be away for up to three weeks? We have a friend who is willing to stop in once a week to water (she has orchids also, but we're both fairly new to this). Is once a week enough? Soak them well, or err on the dry side? I have them in trays that I can put water in to supply some humidity. Most are on shelves in east windows. Many thanks for suggestions.

I suppose it depends on the types of orchids , and the pot size/media,but there are things you can do.
Keep humidity high,soak well before leaving,double pot with moss small ,and or moister growing things,and even put in clear plastic (dry-cleaning)bags loosely closed.
Never let plants sit in water,and yes do err on the dry side.Keep temps cool.
Good luck

I wouldn't worry too much
 

Sunflower,
I too have had concerns about leaving / watering. I'm sure someone could correct me if i am wrong, but I'll bet most of your orchids would survive if you just watered them once before you left.

IMHO, a friend watering them once a week would be fine. I have a few different species and I am in the military and frequently have a friend water while I am away.

Have a good trip

J

I just got back from a three week trip myself. My mother was good enough to come water my orchids once a week and they all look fine (I did have her err on the dry side). Still, I think she came out of it more stressed than they did. Of course my orchids are all potted one way or another and I don't have any mounts.

---------- Post added at 11:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:24 PM ----------

Oh, and welcome to the board!
:welcomeflowers:

In the winter months if I turn down the heat and water very well before leaving, my orchids can do fine for 2 weeks. If I leave for 3 weeks then I usually ask someone to stop by after 10 days to give them a quick watering. Depending on what orchids you have and how cool you leave them, they could probably last the 3 weeks just fine.

I'm doing the once a week for another member's greenhouse and it works without a problem because I've done it before.

lower overnight temps -say 65 - and higher humidity would be ideal for a watering every 10 days. I have 2 cheap 2 gallon Walgreens auto shut-off humidifiers on timers that go on at different times for about 2/3 hours. Your friend would obviously have to refill these every week.
If you have a humidifier on your furnace ( that works! ), you wouldn't need the portables.
That's my winter care trip advice, I have used it and it worked well.

Somewhere I recall a thread where someone forgot to water theirs for a long time and they were shocked how happy the orchids were at the neglect. Of course, it does depend upon many factors such as medium, temp, pot size, mounted or not, humidity, air flow, and type of orchid to name a few.

My mounted and tolumnias I give to a friend or neighbors, the rest I just water really good before I leave and don't worry about.

As long as you don't have anything that needs water every day or 2, once a week should be just fine. Their tougher than you think.

Many many thanks to all of you who answered my plea and gave me such good tips and assurances; much appreciated, and I will not worry.... will water well andhave friend come every 10 days. May try the humidifier on a time switch also..... and leave temp. thermostat on 65.