Plants Update After 8 weeks’ Absence

[Happypaphy7]

I might have shared it before. When I go away for over 2 weeks at a time, I put my orchids (and any other plants) in large semi-clear/clear plastic thrash bags (13gallon bags work for most for me although I have used even larger bag). I have done this for many vacations I took over the years and it has never let me down.
I just got back this week from my longest absence at 8 weeks.
Plants inside the bags were perfectly fine as expected.
I share (hangianum x leucochilum) in low spike with two new growths popping up. My giant malipoense with its new growth showing & a spike holding a bud. The bud did look a bit tired but I harvested the pollen.
Gloria Naugle in spike & a new growth.
Then the past picture is of my Psychopsis papillio aureum sending up a third spike inside a bag. A few of my neos bloomed or in spike/bud.

 

[DrLeslieEe]

Just like wrapping the house furniture when away lol.

Eight weeks? Incredible.

Water day before wrapping? Keep in shaded room?

 

[Happypaphy7]

I water and allow at least one day to dry out just a little bit before bagging them up.
Move them out of too much light. Basically a few feet away from the window that already has sheer curtains.
There were a few that I did not have the time to bag up like my (armeniacum x hangianum), leucochilum and a couple of large seedlings of (leucochilum x hanginum).
Leucochilum and (leuco x hang) seedlings looked like they were untouched by the drought! Aamzing!!
Armeniacum x hangianum looked pretty badly dehydrated. But the roots looked alive and they were both soaked all night. Over the course of about two days following the soaking, the leaves are turgid and the darker green shade of the leaves have returned. Yay!!

 

[DrLeslieEe]

Yay!

 

[Djthomp28]

thats phenomenal!

 

[Julius]

Thank you for sharing your valuable pearls of wisdom. Truly appreciated!!

 

[Phragper]

they just didn’t want to let you down after all the care they have had

 

[Skoester]

That’s impressive. Thanks for sharing. Glad to see you back in the forum!

 

[Just1more]

Are the bags closed tightly?

 

[Happypaphy7]

Thanks, everyone!
Yes, the bags must be tightly closed. That's the whole point of this, locking in the moisture preventing the plants from drying out badly if at all. The blue strings on these bags do not easily close completely and I always make sure each bag is closed as good as it can.
I learned this the hard way the first time I tried this method when one of the bags was not completely closed. Upon my return, plants in that bag were bone dry.

 

[Heather]

That’s pretty cool. Could you maybe post a photo of one of the wrapped plants? Curious how large the bags are. For a small grower this is a great idea!

 

[Bob in Albany N.Y.]

I’ve left seedlings in large clear plastic containers for a few weeks at a time with no problems. Give it a try.

 

[Happypaphy7]

That’s pretty cool. Could you maybe post a photo of one of the wrapped plants? Curious how large the bags are. For a small grower this is a great idea!

I use 13gallon bags for most. I do have even large one for some large plants also.

 

[NYEric]

I don't see this working for Phrags.

 

[Happypaphy7]

works for any plants.

 

[Nancy T]

This method works for me too. I'm glad to read that it worked for 8 weeks as we were thinking of being away next winter for 3 weeks. Now I feel more comfortable leaving my plants "home alone". The only things I also do is spray the plants with physan 20 2 days before we leave, water well the day before we leave and turn the grow lights down to 8 hours a day the day we leave.

 

[NYEric]

works for any plants.

I didn't see this. The only way I'll get 8 weeks off is after my funeral.