My Orchids after 2 months of vacation - how I kept them watered

[@bonniewebster6720]

Whether it be an emergency, a visit or a vacation this video is a good lesson to thoughtfully prepare ahead for leaving orchids for any length of time. Think ahead, people!

[@stefbrownonpointe]

You were very lucky that so many survived! I did what you did when I went away for 3 weeks about 1.5 years ago and the standing water grew mold on it, which invaded the orchids. I only have 20 orchids but I also had to repot them all and about half of them almost died. It's only now that those that almost died are starting to thrive again, growing new leaves/tons of roots, and some showing signs of new spikes. I was devastated that so many of my orchids had such a long set back. But at least they're all happy now. Am sure that with your devoted care and attention your babies will all be on the road to recovery in no time at all!

[@MissOrchidGirl]

Hi Stef, I'm sorry to hear about your orchids, but I'm glad to hear they are coming back :) I think the room was not ventilated enough, I had lots of draft in my balcony (you can see the dust lol) and I think that kept them safe from mold. Thanks for sharing your story it's an important thing to keep in mind!

[@stefbrownonpointe]

Ah yes - I think you're right. Because I was away I had to shut and lock all the windows to my flat.

[@emhartjes]

I think you did a marvellous job of keeping the orchids alive. Congratulations. When you told us you had to leave the orchids for two months, my heart jumped to my throat.I would have predicted that all your orchids would have been toast after two months without your tender loving care. Your orchids were super healthy and that's why they survived so well. I'm certain you will nurture your orchids back to that super healthy state so the vast majority will thrive again.

[@MissOrchidGirl]

thanks for the encouraging words Elona, yes most will bounce back without problems but there were those few casualties that were unlucky. it happens :)

[@dgatez73]

considering it's been two months....not to bad !! on the road to recovery , good luck Danny!!

[@MissOrchidGirl]

Thanks Derek (I'm sure I spelled that wrong lol), yeah some are very well and others.. not so well.. I might do a bit of hacking though, too much time and effort that I could use on the ones that are rare-er or at least fragrant.

[@dgatez73]

MissOrchidGirl your'e welcome :) There are literally a dozen ways to spell my name but mine is spelled "Darrick" mine is the most rarest way to spell it I think. lol!! yeah I would definitely try to save the more rarer ones and your favorite scented ones. I was talking with my better half just last week about what i'm gonna do with my plants when we go on vaca , but I will only be gone for almost two weeks. So I should be fine I think now.

[@MissOrchidGirl]

Buckeye Orchid-NUT Yes I knew it was a different way of spelling it, I just tried my luck, I'll remember now :P yeah 2 weeks is a breeze especially if it's not super warm and dry, I think your orchids should be just fine :)

[@Sylvesteryasdnil]

This video is great thank you my partner and I were hoping to go on vacation anywhere from 2-3 weeks up to maybe a month so ur a life saver

[@poisondekara]

Most of them look fine, especialy considering that you've been gone for two whole months.
I'm sure they will recover soon. Give them all a good, long shower, they need it.
Good luck, Dani.

[@MissOrchidGirl]

Thanks, they will be fine in the end :)

[@EllePlowPlow]

I know this was several years ago but I’m just now seeing this and I feel so bad about what happened. I’m sorry Dani.

[@akapoopsie]

awww danni, it's heartbreaking when we have to leave them in the care of others and they suffer, but we have to remember we have other aspects of our lives to tend to like vacays LOL ; ) you are great at rescuing orchids in despair, so as always, i look forward to plenty of updates ... thank you for sharing :)

[@MissOrchidGirl]

Thanks Chris, it always seems that I rescue some of them, there's no time in which they are all in good health :P

[@popova1979]

good job...i have to leave mine for 15 days..will use your idea ♥️

[@tamaraprevitali1990]

Wow you were gone for 2 months, I've only been growing my orchids for the last year and a few weeks ago my family went to Santa Cruz just for the weekend and I insisted that I stay home I just couldn't leave my orchids and have somebody else come and take care of them - you were so brave but thanks for sharing your video so I know now that I can at least leave for a weekend ;) I hope everything bounces back in good condition for you ;)

[@MissOrchidGirl]

Hi Tamara, well initially it was only for 3 weeks.. but it transformed into 2 months lol I had no other way but for the main part everyone looks pretty ok :)

[@lovebug7]

Yes! I have been through the same problems when I go out. No ones going to take care of you plants the way you do! Jijiji

[@sherrywalker4619]

I am so very sorry that you had some Orchid damage. I wish that I lived closer so that I could have cared for your Orchids while you were away. I can NOT believe that you have spider mites AGAIN! Good luck with all of the rehabilitation.

[@MissOrchidGirl]

Hi Sherry, aww thank you :D I think that I am on top of spider mites at the moment so that is great news indeed, it was a 2 year war that I prolonged by underestimating them, but now there is almost no infestation of mites in my collection :D

[@akosisenen19]

I am also glad that you're back Miss ;) I waited for your new videos. :) Welcome back! Miss beautiful. :">

[@MissOrchidGirl]

Aw Thank you Senen :D

[@yesodha26]

Hi Danny, why don't you add a wick to your orchid pots and leave the wick soaking in water as the roots of the orchid gets water from wick. In this way maybe you can avoid direct soaking of your orchid in water.

[@andrewusher6442]

Welcome back Danni hope your distressed orchids get better I'm a recent sub and left a question in one of your previous vids

[@MissOrchidGirl]

Hi Andrew, will get to your question soon when I find it :)

[@orquinonos6552]

So sorry to see your beautiful collection in such a bad shape. I had this problem myself not long ago and I'm still working to get everything back to normal.

[@MissOrchidGirl]

Hi Diego, well it's not super bad it could have been worse I guess :) good luck with your orchids!

[@sherrywalker4619]

Great to hear! 🤗

[@donnasherwood9540]

How do you know when your orchid medium breaks down? Thanks, I am a learning a lot from your videos as a newbie to orchids.

[@artistenoire]

I'm scared leaving my orchids for 2 weeks this winter! I'm going to New Zealand on vacation. I have only 4 (and a few more coming soon), and I think I will just give them to my stepmother with a care sheet for each type and labeling them carefully...
I'm wondering if only two weeks without water for phals and odonticidium is okay, though. I just don't want them to shrivel up on me!
This is also why I won't get vandas because I think that they need water every day or otherwise very often and I would probably kill him even if I was home to water them because I am such a forgetful girl.
I'm glad that most of your orchids survived and they're okay, and sorry for your losses!

[@MissOrchidGirl]

Hi Astrid, well depends on how dry and warm the environment is. If it's on the cool side it will be ok to leave them unwatered for 2 weeks, but if it's quite warm, the tray method will work just fine. If you have someone to help you out that would be great, but orchids are more resilient than you think ;)

[@artistenoire]

I've been nursing a sick orchid for almost a year now. It was my first one and all the roots died but one, and it's got 4 new leaves and 4 new roots to show!
I know they're tough! :)
I just hate them to get so wrinkly and they start to feel like children more than just plants haha! Thanks for the tip. :)

[@MissOrchidGirl]

***** Haha I know what you mean :))

[@gloriasimonetti955]

How hot was it when you left outside?

[@joanray6897]

Hi Danny. Should one dilute the dishwashing liquid before using on the orchids?

[@HowtoLiveInParis]

How much should I put (inches please) for one month? Winter in Paris so no humidity inside and I will not leave on the heating. I was going to buy an automatic waterer but I’m afraid it will malfunction and drown it.

[@MissOrchidGirl]

Hi, there is no measure, just trial an error, try a 1 inch level first and see how it goes ☺️

[@GarrettSpring]

Great video!

[@MissOrchidGirl]

Thanks Garrett :)

[@nadme24]

Hi MissOrquidGirl! How do clean your orquids leaves?

[@fredgrech1498]

hi Danny have you got a video on how to wash the leaves or get rid of spider mites

[@MissOrchidGirl]

+Fred Grech oh.. I have an ongoing war with mites, here is something that works only on strong leaves orchids ua-cam.com/video/Z8Mt19_iM38/v-deo.html for everything else I'm afraid only miticides are the solutions :( they are the spawn of evil..

[@mirbuys777]

hey Danni!!thanks for another helpful video! may i ask what did you do with the Vandas/vanda like orchids while you were on vacation??I know it has been a long time since that video but I hope you see this comment :)

[@MissOrchidGirl]

Mir Buys I see most comments as I get notifications ;) well, I was actually baby sitting by brother's dog, so I took the vandas and mounted orchids with me. While I was on vacation for 2 weeks mom took care of them at my bro's place. So only the potted orchids were left behind ;)

[@katiegraham2974]

Hi Danni! Sorry to hear about the losses to your beautiful collection :( I'm sure everything will be healthy again in no time! I have a question about my phalaenopsis- it grew a terminal spike, and now it's growing a new leaf. I'm sure it was a terminal spike, since it grew through the center of the plant. From my understanding, phals that grow terminal spikes aren't supposed to grow any more leaves or flower spikes. I'm not complaining, but I'm a little confused because I can't find any information on this anywhere... do you have any idea why it has continued growing?

[@MissOrchidGirl]

Hi Katie, well I think you are lucky :) in 90% of the cases, Phals with terminal spikes will not grow new leaves but try to put out a keiki. But in few cases they manage to grow leaves despite the terminal spike, I am not sure why but it happens :) so it will be fun to watch what happens, just care for your orchid normally and enjoy ;) you can leave the terminal spike if it's not drying up, it might produce a keiki too!

[@48shuzfan]

Hello Danni,
I truly enjoy your videos I am learning how to care for orchids at last! I have killed some along the way until I came across your videos. I do have a question for you: Someone gave me one and I placed it in water with some orchid food both leaves turned yellow and fell off but there is still one green root should I take it out of the water and place it in medium or keep it in the water? I would appreciate your advice. Thanks

[@MissOrchidGirl]

Hi thanks for writing :) well to be honest I have heard of water culture before, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. My prefered way to encourage root growth is to keep the orchid moist, but not in water. Usually sphagnum moss helps with retaining water but still give airiness. I would place the orchid in a small pot with a mixture of some bark and sphagnum moss and water it before the media is completely dry. I had almost 100% success with this, but again it will have to be your decision, I can only speak out of my experience. Keep in mind that if an orchid is truly badly damaged, it might not survive no matter the method you will use, it just happens and we cannot control everything :) hope this helps!

[@48shuzfan]

Thanks for the advice I transplanted the orchid into bark medium I hope it survive. I look forward to more of your informative videos.

[@sum1t0m0]

What about vanda orchid??

[@MissOrchidGirl]

+sum1t0m0 the vandas came with me :P