/ Register

Welcome to OrchidsForum.com. We are a friendly online community for Orchid Growers all over the world. If you haven't joined yet we invite you to register and join our community. Hope to see you on our forums!

Greenhouse watering methods

Discussion in 'Everything Else Orchid' started by Devon, Jan 2, 2019.

  1. Jan 2, 2019 #1
    Devon

    Devon New Member

    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hi everyone!

    I've recently built a greenhouse and was wondering which watering methods other greenhouse growers use. As I live in a semi arid area, growing the plants in their own tubs of water has worked so far. In the greenhouse I'm worried that the high humidity won't allow the water in the tubs to evaporate quickly enough and cause rot. Similarly watering with a hose or overhead sprinklers could get water into the crowns of the plants and cause rot.

    Any ideas? Also I'd like to hear how you water your plants.
     
  2. Jan 2, 2019 #2
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

    Messages:
    13,732
    Likes Received:
    3,530
    Location:
    Santa Rosa, CA
    Water early in the day so plants can dry during the day. Also, having some fans in the greenhouse will help them to dry and prevent rot. I use a hose with a water breaker on it so that it is like a gentle rain.
     
  3. Jan 2, 2019 #3
    Devon

    Devon New Member

    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Thank you.
     
  4. Jan 2, 2019 #4
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

    Messages:
    6,561
    Likes Received:
    2,361
    Location:
    Redding, California, USA
    It is important to know what genera you grow and in what medium if potted or if they are mounted.

    I water with a hose and everything gets drenched. About 75% of mine are mounted with the remainder potted. A few just hang on wires with bare roots. Because of the way I water I have to grow Phalaenopsis (only have 3 Phals) hanging horizontal so water does not collect in the crown. See this post <link>. I haven't had serious issues with other genera and my watering method.

    Are you in the part of southern Africa that has a Mediterranean climate (hot dry summers and cool wet winters)?
     
  5. Jan 2, 2019 #5
    Devon

    Devon New Member

    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Kelly W

    My climate entails hot summers with most of our rain coming in the form of showers that last from a few hours to a few days, however we have long dry spells. Winters are dry and cool.
    I have:
    3 Phals in moss
    1 Prosthechea in 2:1 bark to moss
    3 Oncidiums in 1:1 bark to moss
    1 Sarccochilus in 2:1 bark to moss
    1 Brassia 1:1 bark to moss
    2 Tolumnia in moss
    1 Stenhorynchus in moss
    1 Den. Nobile in 2:1 bark to moss
    1 Maxillaria in moss

    My greenhouse is built to accommodate a few types of climatic conditions.

    I'm not a fan of mounts.

    I think that normal watering early in the morning is better, and putting my Phals on a tilted shelf.