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are home renovations and orchids compatible?

15 years ago

I need some advice on what to do with the orchids. Our apartment badly needs to have its walls repainted. This entails a lot of scraping and sandpapering in preparation. I can tell you from past experience that the house gets filled with fine particles that settle into a dry, sticky mess, from which heavy plastic covers provide only partial protection. I asked the contractor about my plants (the furniture isn't so important lol!) He said to cover them with the plastic covers. I'm scared. I really don't want the orchids to suffer a major setback, now that they are all looking so healthy. I could farm them out, but I don't trust any of my family, apart from my daughter-in-law-with- the-green-thumb. However, her growing conditions are different and she is too busy to have this extra chore on her hands.

Any suggestions? The painters are coming in two weeks' time. They say it will take 10 days to do the job.

Judy

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Comments (5)

richardol
15 years ago
Until I read the last sentence, I was thinking "hey, just cover them. A day or two won't make much difference to them."

How many plants are we talking about? You could drop them off with me, but that might not work given the distance.

How about a couple of neighbors who are close enough that you could do the watering yourself? Even if the light is too low, the plants will get through it.
savtaj
Original Author
15 years ago
Hey, Richard!
How do you find the time and patience to answer all of our stupid questions? It's only eight at present, but not for long! I feel the urge coming on.
So, you agree that the main problem is the goo. If less light won't be a problem, I think I'll take them to my daughter-in-law's, after all. I can water and fert just before I transfer them. They will survive the 10 days - they are used to partial drought lol. I wish I could transfer my piano as well. Last time it had to have a major overhaul, even though it was well wrapped up. Oh well, it's only in use when the kids come.
Judy
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jane__ny
15 years ago
I have a lot more plants than you and mine survived a major remodel. I just moved them around to rooms they weren't tearing apart. Spent a few days in bathrooms and bedrooms - was like musical orchids.

Mine all did fine and it was much longer than 10 days...at least 6 weeks.

Jane
savtaj
Original Author
15 years ago
Hi, Jane,
Sorry it took me so long to answer - I've been busy!
Why do we get so hysterical over minor (orchid related) problems??? Especially when it's evident that the orchids are much hardier than we humans? After your post, I have now decided to leave them all in the house during renovations. If I can stand the mess and smells, so can they!
Richard, once again thanks for your kind offer to look after my plants. The only reason I won't take you up on it is because after a few days in your care, my orchids would NEVER agree to come back to me!
Judy
wiscnick
15 years ago
Three years ago, when I had one lonely Phal, it survived a summer long tear down and remodel--we're talking no roof, then refinishing oak floors (lots of dust) drywall (lots of dust) painting (lots of--you get the picture) I basically moved it out of the way, watered when I remembered, and washed the leaves off when all was done. It survived, and is in bud right now.
relax--and good luck
nick

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