Orchids must never be moved around. Myth or reality?

[loreley]

I have often read that orchids should always stay in the same place and that moving them around is harmful. Is this true, or is it just another myth?::

[dash3echo]

You have to be careful about light levels when moving orchids around. When my phals are in bloom i rotate the pot every couple of days to ensure the bloom grows up, not out, toward the light; so "moving" happens. But if you were moving your orchids from a low light area to a very bright area, you do have to worry about scorching.

[koshki]

MYTH!

If it were true, none of us could get plants into our collections!

I have a beautiful masdevallia that was growing very nicely in my bedroom. Last summer I moved it to my sunroom, where it is growing even better than before! I mean, new leaves are almost twice as long as before, and they were very nice to begin with!

[Anton]

MYTH !

Some may need more or less light, so I move them and they improve, some get too much moisture from the irrigation system, some don't get enough, so, they are moved accordingly.

If they are happy, leave them, if not, make changes to try to correct for the deficiencies.

I have a "day to a page" diary and document EVERYTHING I do and see on a daily basis first thing in the morning and when I get home from work and know what works for some plants but not others.

Orchids are a continual learning process, and if you document it, you can learn from your mistakes and your successes, and also refer back if someone has an issue that you have experienced, and can help them with how you corrected it.

I tried setting up a computer database, but found I preferred the old fashion way, as I don't have to "power up" the diary, open the program, and hope it doesn't crash after entering a page of data.

I am quite computer literate, but this is one of those rare times where I prefer the KISS Method of data entry.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by loreley

I have often read that orchids should always stay in the same place and that moving them around is harmful. Is this true, or is it just another myth?::

What are the reasons they give to not move them around? Why might it be harmful? I've never heard nor read this anywhere. I'd like ot know where you read this.

[katrina]

As others have pointed out...it's a myth...it's not harmful the plant.

With that said...when you have buds developing, you want to be careful how you move the plant in accordance w/the direction of the light. Many flowers will "follow" the light...when growing under lights and/or in a window...moving the plant around (in relation to the direction the light is coming from) can cause the flowers to twist around. It doesn't hurt them in any way but it can mess up the display. Phals are very prone to this. I've also done it to a couple of my catts.

I'm not sure if I'm explaining that very well...hopefully I haven't confused you.

[Ron]

Myth.

I have often read that orchids should always stay in the same place and that moving them around is harmful. Is this true, or is it just another myth?

I find if my orchid is happy growing were it is, leave it.
If it is not happy, move it around until you find a place it is happy in.
I may move a plant 5 or 6 times over the course of a couple of years if I can not get it to grow well in its present location, I give them about 5 or 6 months to settle in to the new spot.

If you were never allowed to move them the nursery would not be able to sell them.
That would mean movement

[trinigirl]

I move my orchids around all the time, as I am constantly picking them up looking for roots and new growths and of course the very earliest signs of spikes. They all seem to be okay with this.

[loreley]

Originally Posted by kmarch

What are the reasons they give to not move them around? Why might it be harmful? I've never heard nor read this anywhere. I'd like ot know where you read this.

I don't recall exactly where I read it, kmarch, but I certainly have, and quite a few times. I'll do some research and if I find the info I'll forward it to you.

[orchids4me]

Myth!!
Everyone else has already said why and I don't have anything to add to it all.
But I too am curious where you read this as Kmarch is.....

[loreley]

[QUOTE=katrina;250128] Many flowers will "follow" the light...when growing under lights and/or in a window...moving the plant around (in relation to the direction the light is coming from) can cause the flowers to twist around.

This is exactly what I have read as a reason for not moving phals around when in bloom. Thanks, Katrina.

[loreley]

To kmarch and emmaye, who would like to know where I read about this "myth", I don't recall exactly where but I'll do some research and post the info when I find it,

[digitalgate]

reading material must put it in proper context.

not a myth IF
1)Let say you are a urban grower. Your two growing area one is facing north and the other south. In the dead of winter there is no light in north facing window. So you move your plant at 7am to get sun light for 2 hours in the south east. You try to avoid the hot 11am sun by moving the plant to a shaded area. Then it is almost2 pm you move to a area to catch the later afternoon sun. Will your plant grow? No - very slowly it will. Plus when I move my things , i drop them. So it is deadly to plant as i will snap a pseudobulb or two. Plant will feel stressed when they dont have continuous sunlight and continuous moving.
been there . Done that . It won't work.
2)You tried to get 4 hours of sun light by moving the plant from the left of the window to the right of the window. Constantly moving it every 15 min to maximize the sun light on the plant. Will
this stunt the plant. Yes!
Been there done that. It won't work either.
It is a myth IF
1) you move the plant once a year as the sun have shift from the north to the south. In this case your plant actually grow faster!

[katrina]

You're welcome.