Soaking pots--acceptable for watering?

[Normkp]

Hi Folks,

Since my home has soft water I can't water my orchids in the shower. I know you want to get them thoroughly wet when you do water. Is soaking acceptable?

And if it is acceptable how does that affect fertilizing? I fertilize after I soak. Am I washing away the fertilizer I just gave to the plant?
Norm

[BunnytheOrchid]

Soaking is the only way I water my orchids. Granted I'm growing cattleyas, phals and one miltoniopsis, so maybe some people would object to other species being watered by soaking, but as far as I know soaking is perfectly acceptable. Its a lot easier for me and the plants hold water a lot better.

[norris]

Hi Norm, if soaking your plants is what works best for you, that's fine. When you need to fertilize, you can soak them in fertilizer solution just the same.
P.S. have you thought about taking them outside to water them? your outside faucet is probably not tied in to the water softener.

[articuno75]

Some people agree and disagree on this subject. Especially if you "share" the water. I soak mine and I share water. It's easier on me and cheaper on my water bill Now others will say that there is a risk of contamination, but I haven't seen it.

[exasperatus2002]

I soak feed my orchids. I grow Catts,Brassia, Dendrobiums & Phal's.

[kmarch]

You could just put them in the sink and water them wiht a watering can.

[patlee]

Soaking is great (especially in your climate), but I'm one of those people who is very cautious when it comes to sharing water. If you have a fair number of orchids, the chances of one or more of them having a virus is pretty good. I would not risk possible contamination by sharing water. Now if you're talking one plant, no problem...

[Normkp]

Thanks for your comments everybody.

The fertilizer is still an issue in my mind. If I added fertilizer to plants that were not being soaked, some of it would cling to the potting medium as I watered. Some would still be left when it was time to fertilize again. But with soaking it seems like I'd be diluting the fertilizer down to zero, and plants would not get as much 'food.'

[norris]

Hi Normkp, say you're using a 5 gallon bucket to soak your plants. You would mix 5 gallons of fertilizer solution to the desired strength, your plants would be getting a desired strength dose after they are dipped into the solution.

[tom499]

And of the amount of fertiliser you add only a small amount is taken up by the plants, so it wont make much difference.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by Normkp

The fertilizer is still an issue in my mind. If I added fertilizer to plants that were not being soaked, some of it would cling to the potting medium as I watered. Some would still be left when it was time to fertilize again. But with soaking it seems like I'd be diluting the fertilizer down to zero, and plants would not get as much 'food.'

Putting the fertelizer in a bucket to soak an orchid doesn't necessarily dilute the fertilizer any more than putting it in a watering can and watering with it. Disolving the fert in a bucket won't dilute it to zero. That would be plain water with no fert.

Either way, soaking or watering, fertilizer residue will still cling to the mix and remain. This is why we typically either use very dilute fert or we only fertilize occasionally.

[orchid_girl]

I have done both. I would use rain water a lot of the time though. Saves money on water bills.

[I. C. Unicorns]

I "discovered" soaking as the only way to get enough water to my bark potted Phal. I use the water again with the orchid fertilizer to water my other plants.