can orchids share the same bath water?

[sddivey]

So my question is:
In some of the threads- people say they soak their orchids, weekly or monthly to flush out the salt build up.....

SO- hypothetically speaking, if I fill up a bath tub full of the rainwater that I collected last week, add the correct amount of fertilizer - does it have to be ONE orchid per soak (only the pots-bases-not the leaves) OR can Several orchids "bathe" for 15 minutes?

If there was a virus, pest etc, would that transfer in the water?????

[Kmac]

The correct answer is don't do this, as viruses can transfer. However, I have been known to do this in a pinch.

[78Terp]

The risk as Kathi said is passing diseases around.

I have to admit that I keep a bucket with fertilized water that I hang 4 or 5 mounted in to water, sharing that water amongst these same orchids. I have not been burned yet. But when I do get burnt, I will accept it as my bad!

[sddivey]

I figured as much and I wasn't trying to conserve water, just thought it would speed things up when I water.....

[78Terp]

Wait till you get 200 orchids.

Watering really gets fun then!

[sddivey]

Wait till you get 200 orchids.

Watering really gets fun then!

I am halfway there Harvey!

[78Terp]

I have really hit my limit this time.

I haven't bought a new orchid in weeks. I am done buying at least the rest of the year. Longer if I can hold out!

Watering is getting to become a chore so no more!

But I have to say, I have lots of spike growing right now. Lots of different orchids getting ready to make me happy!

[sddivey]

I feel ya! I find myself looking online and at the stores for more and then I have to slap myself back to reality......

[Carolla]

I'm still holding at about 50, watering is getting harder to remember and enjoy so its time to really slow down. However, I have several Phals in spike, so I'm happy! The Onc. Sharry Baby has a few flowers left on the second (much smaller) spike and the Christmas cactus has its first blooms. Since I bought several NOID Phals off of Craig's List and most of them are spiking (great buy - $60 for 8 plants and the shelves to put them on!), I can wait and enjoy the suspense.

Oh, yes, it really is better to have separate water for each plant, but I'm pretty sloppy about that to be honest. I may pay the price for it some day, I've been working on being more careful as more plants come and go there is a greater chance that one of them will be infected with bugs or a virus that might spread.

[k_andreev]

For my Phals collection.i drop each pot in empty milk/yogurt box and water them..leave them in for 10-20mins or more .throw a way all water for gardening plants.

For another in s/h I water them to the top of the top and let the water to drain.