New Watering System

[jrfehon]

I was having trouble with soaking my orchids. They're all in clear, plastic pots so every time I'd soak them in a bin they would fall over due to the light weight of the pots. So I found these cups that are just a fraction bigger than four inches in diameter. I had to edit the photos a bit because the cups were a promotional item for a beverage company back in the early 90s and have logos on them. All my orchids in four inch pots fit perfectly in these cups and can soak without tipping over. Now all I need to do is find similar cups that have a five inch diameter. Does anyone else soak their orchids in cups like this? I'm curious to know and hear ideas on how to expand.

-Jason

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Looks like a great idea. Did you get one of the large carry trays to put them in for easy transport to the sink and back? Orchids bring out the creative in us! haha..

Cheers,
BD

[espranch]

Yes, Jason, I DO soak my orchids, also. I use a large livestock feeding bucket that I dip each plant into, ( this is done in the greenhouse ) then use a turkey baster to make sure ALL of the media gets wet. Then I hang them over the bucket for a few seconds/minutes until they have drained. Takes time, but keeps them soooooooooooooo happy! Betty

[swtheory1986]

Jason, I soak some of mine as well. I use a bowl for my 6'' pots and an old fertilizer container for my small pots, the fertilizer container is just a little bit bigger than my 4'' pots, so it makes for efficient use of my rainwater.

[espranch]

Hey, Shane, I like your cool avatar! My Grandson, David loves to skateboard, too...Betty :-)

[marsha]

do you also soak phalaenopsis. I am new at this . . . the "ice cube" method does not seem to work. Also, the pots they came in have no drainage holes. Problem?

[Toni1968]

Lovin this Idea! I take them 1 by 1 and dunk , this would be so much easier! Thanks for sharing!

[panam]

Marsha, most of the phals you get, especially in stores, are intended to be (gasp!) thrown away after flowering, so they aren't potted for health. They need drainage or else the roots may rot out on you. I have some doing well in clay pots with drainage holes.

A co-worker of mine swears by the ice cube method - no matter how many of hers have died! I don't know if it's the ice cubes or not - she tends to kill any plant she has, poor thing. I have never iced my orchids, but water them as they approach dryness.

Anyone else?

[Toni1968]

Marsha, most of the phals you get, especially in stores, are intended to be (gasp!) thrown away after flowering, so they aren't potted for health. They need drainage or else the roots may rot out on you. I have some doing well in clay pots with drainage holes.

A co-worker of mine swears by the ice cube method - no matter how many of hers have died! I don't know if it's the ice cubes or not - she tends to kill any plant she has, poor thing. I have never iced my orchids, but water them as they approach dryness.

Anyone else?

I noticed this also so you have to repot or add drainage somehow. I never use ice, I find it does not work for me. I prefer the dunk method. (for lack or better word)

[Cjcorner]

do you also soak phalaenopsis. I am new at this . . . the "ice cube" method does not seem to work. Also, the pots they came in have no drainage holes. Problem?

Marsha;
If you go to your local nusery or hardware store, they usually carry clay pots with at least one big hole down bottom. Or, if you have a husband with tools...the soldering iron will do fine. Heat it up (outside, the fumes are bad for you), and melt a few holes here and there, two or three on the bottom and a few around the sides so water can drip out and air can get to the roots. Sometimes when the phal is in good potting medium, I simply pull it out of the plastic pot and sit it in the same size clay pot. The farther north you are, the better plastic is...the farther south, like Florida, the better clay works. Good Luck... Oh and...never use ice cubes or cold water to water your orchids. They do not like cold water and i'm guessing this is a "marketing ploy". If you have city water, your phal will like a weekly trip to the faucet. Get an old plate you don't like, water your phal under the tap thoroughly, let it drip for awhile then place it on it's plate and put it in a shady spot. While you never want to water every day, when you do water once a week...water your plant thoroughly. Some water, wait fifteen minutes and water again...then let it drip awhile and place it on it's plate. Welcome to the group...phals are what started me into collecting orchids.