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Orchid Care During Vacation
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maykosh Offline
Orchid lover
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Posts: 2
Joined: Jan 2010
Post: #1
Orchid Care During Vacation
I have 40+ pots of orchids and 15+ kinds of orchids. They have been growing closed by the East indoor. I have no problem getting on vacation for about two weeks and they are okay without watering for two weeks during winter time. We are planning to be on vacation for about four weeks this early sprint, and I was wondering that someone is willing share with me orchid care tips during vacation without asking friends watering them. Any tips or information is really appreciated.
Tuesday, Feb 23, 2010 09:46 AM
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scott Offline
forumae administra
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Posts: 58
Joined: Mar 2009
Post: #2
RE: Orchid Care During Vacation
Well, this is always a challenge. Two weeks.. sure most could survive.. a month and unless you're just growing phals in moss, you have two options: have a friend or someone water them (WARNING: its best to find someone familiar with orchids... I've heard about and read MANY MANY times about people going on vacation, showing their friend how to water, leaving VERY DETAILED instructions only to come home to everything dead because the person did what they THOUGHT was right and didn't follow directions).

The second option is to DECREASE light and temperature so that the plants don't use as much h20.. .but honestly that isn't the best answer.. as it will stress the plants and set them back considerably and possibly even kill them... I one time had a roommate (for what reason?) put a large healthy just done flowering Cattleya into a cupboard where it was completely dark and it received ZERO light for three months..when I found it (I thought it had gone back into the greeenhouse) I was shocked it looked fine... so without light it survived three months in a dark cabinet. But that was a healthy plant and I have no doubt it set it back considerably.

Best option: find a friend or neighbor who's familiar with plants and have them do the BARE minimum ... are you a member of the society? Perhaps someone from the society....

there really are no alternatives short of expensive watering automated systems. Theres not wickign or plant bottle solutions like with regular house plants.

What type of orchids do you have and are they grown under lights? GOOD LUCK!
Thursday, Mar 04, 2010 11:03 AM
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