Orchids are easy to grow and care for. You can maintain the health of your fancy orchid plants with a proper watering routine.
An improper watering technique can destroy your plant in a few days. It will also shorten the total lifespan of the plant.
Moreover, root rot is a common problem with orchid plants and it is directly linked to the excess use of water.
In short, you need to understand the watering needs of your orchid plants to avoid all water-related problems.
Below is the complete guide on how you can water your orchids to increase their life span.
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What is the best way of Orchid watering?
Phalaenopsis orchids are naturally found in tropical jungles. This means you need to understand their natural habitat to know about their growing needs.
In jungles orchids grow in the canopy of large trees, they grow on the strong branches of the tress. This means they do not need soil to grow.
But as you know we cannot mimic the natural growing conditions at home. Therefore, you need to use a growing medium that is fast-draining.
The potting soil must drain water within a few minutes. This will keep your plant safe and prevent root fungus.
Before watering you need to check the pot of the orchid plant. It must have drain holes at the bottom of the pot.
These holes allow the extra water to go out of the pot.
Once you make sure your pot has drain holes then the next step is watering the plant.
Orchids are succulents that do not need frequent watering. They have the ability to store water in their leaves and roots.
Grab the watering can and water the soil, do not spray or mist water on the orchid leaves. This will increase the chances of leaf fungus.
If your orchid leaves are waxy, shining, and fleshy this means it has enough water stored for long-time use.
The general rule is to check the dryness of the potting soil before watering the plant. If the soil is dry then you can water your orchid plants.
But if the soil is partially dry means only the top 1 or 2 inches of the soil are dry then you should not water your orchids.
Wait until half of the potting soil gets dry. Remember that your orchid plants can tolerate a little bit of dryness and negligence.
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When to water Orchids?
There is no specific time of watering orchids. Because there are many factors that directly impact the thirst of orchids.
But in general, we water them once a week in the summer season and once in 2 weeks at the time of blooming.
As I said check the moisture level of the potting soil and the conditions of plant roots and leaves. Also, use filtered water for watering houseplants.
Do not use heavy water because such water contains minerals and unwanted substances. These substances get collected at the base of the pot and block the normal root function
How to identify underwatering orchids?
Underwatering is also dangerous for orchids like overwatering. If you are not giving a sufficient amount of water to your orchids.
They become dehydrated and you can easily identify this by inspecting your plants.
Yellow leaves, buds fall off and dropping are sure signs of underwatering orchids. Missing 1 or 2 watering applications will not affect the orchid’s health.
Your orchids will show these signs when you forgot to water them for weeks.
After seeing these signs immediately water your plants. Water will put new life in them. But if your orchids are completely dried then water won’t help in this case.
How to avoid overwatering orchids?
In the orchid watering technique, we always avoid the excess use of water. Because the extra water makes the soil waterlogged.
This results in root rot; this is a root fungus disease that can kill your plant if you do not catch it on time.
Following are the signs of overwatering orchids:
Yellow leaves
Swallow stems
Mushy roots
Smelly potting soil
Dark roots
You can prevent root rot by limiting the use of water. But if your plants get infected by root fungus.
Then you need to take the plant out of its pot and check the degree of root infection.
Remove the soil from the roots and use sharp shears to cut the infected and damaged parts. At once you can cut 50% of the root ball.
If more than 60% of the roots ball is damaged then propagation is the only way to save the plant.
Back to the first solution, cut the roots and plant them again in the same pot but use new soil and wash the pot before filling it with new potting soil.
New soil must be the same type that you use to grow the mother plant.
You can prevent this deadly disease by understanding the orchid watering needs.
Conclusion
Learning the orchid watering technique is not difficult. You can follow this guide to avoid all water-related problems.
Check the soil before watering orchids and you will never face problems. Orchids need less water than other general houseplants.
Also, use filtered water that is suitable for drinking purposes to water orchids. For more information on orchid watering and its care feel free to contact us.
