No reindeer moss... you will get mold. Milled sphagnum moss is better - but kinda distracting.

Hi Joanne,

I'm new to the forum, and I don't pretend to be an expert such as Irina and some others obviously are. But I just wonder if you're overthinking this, unless I don't understand all your concerns. If you'll only be gone for 5 days, do you really need to do anything other than water well before you go, or is this a particularly thirsty AV?

Most of my AVs are in Oyama (self-watering) pots and don't need water more than once every 6 or 7 days, some for much longer. When I go away for more than 7 days, I bag my plants as in the photo below. As I only have about 25, this is not overly onerous. I ordered large bags of this type from Amazon, and I've used them when I've been away for as much as 3 weeks with no problem. Good luck!

Judy

I see. Which one is that? (Just curious.)

Rose Bouquet