I do not mean to compare children or household pets to plants, even if they are orchids. However, I must remind you that, just like any other members of the family (kids, dogs, cats, birds, fish, etc.), orchid plants must be provided for when you intend to leave them unattended for several days. After all, they are completely dependent on you for hydration, nutrition, proper placement and the comforts that make them happy and, therefore, also productive.

Without the water and fertilizer you give them regularly, they will die. Without the moisture you introduce into the environment that affords them comfortable temperatures, the correct measure of lighting and sufficient moisture their growth will suffer irreparable damage, stagnate and possible perish.

I have little doubt that you are neglecting your orchid plants when you are around, which is most of the time. But there are times when you have to leave for a business trip, a vacation, a holiday gathering with family and so on. What do you do then? How will your orchid plants survive that outing of yours?

There is no quick and easy answer or one that fits all instances. The variables are many but they mostly depend on the duration of your absence and on how well you had planned in advance. Sorry, I do not mean to scare you into changing your plans about going away or causing your to worry the entire time you are away but I do hope you take this serious because your orchid plants rely on you to do the right thing.

In the perfect world you will never leave your orchids alone for any length of time but that is, of course, unrealistic. The second best thing is to get someone to come in every day, preferably in the morning, and attend to your orchid plants as you would do yourself. That means that it would be someone who know at least as much as you do about taking care of orchids, even if it is only through the detailed instructions you will be leaving.

If the first and second options are not realistic in your circumstance, you should then do the following:

• Find the perfect spot in which to place all your orchid plants — a spot that has good air circulation but no direct sunlight.
• Set up humidity trays and/or dishes that will hold enough water to last for the full duration of your absence. Take into consideration the number of plants that will be placed into the said trays and/or dishes, as well as the dryness in your home and the temperature ranges.
• Grouping your orchid plants provides better humidity zones.
• If you are planning to be absent long enough to miss one or more watering times, you should consider getting a self-watering device.

You’ve done your planning and provided for the needs of your orchid plants. So, have a good time and upon returning, please study all that we offer right here at Orchid Care.org — the website that can teach you all about growing orchid plants; promoting beautiful orchid bloom, watering orchids properly, fertilizing orchids correctly, repotting orchid plants when needed, choosing the ideal locations for orchids as well as the wonderful varieties of orchids that are available to you through professional orchid growers.

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Filed under: Orchid Care

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