How to Water Orchids?

Plant lovers know that watering plants is not as easy as it seems. If you water every plant in your green area the same way, it is inevitable that you will experience some problems.

Some plants can be resistant to excessive watering or dehydration due to their structure. But orchids are the most sensitive species in this regard. This blog will help you water your orchids correctly.

The orchids we grow at home are generally species that grow in tropical forests. These types of orchids live on tree trunks, with their roots exposed and in contact with the air. 

Orchid roots can benefit from the moisture in the air and absorb the rain like a sponge and take the nutrients it contains. Considering the natural living conditions of orchids, it is obvious that they do not need water like other plants.

The common mistake in orchid care is to expose the roots to too much water.  However, orchid roots need moisture, not water.

 

When Should I Water My Orchids?

Overwatering orchids will cause the roots to rot. Therefore, you must make sure that our orchid needs water. There are several methods to understand when to water orchids, but let's focus on the simplest and most guaranteed method.

 The easiest way to determine when it is time to water your orchids is to check the color of their roots. With this method, you will grow your orchids for many years without making any mistakes, regardless of the climate and conditions.

After watering, the roots become bright and green. This also indicates that the roots are healthy. Over time, the green color fades and turns into a greyish color. When the same color prevails on all roots, it means it is time to water again.

How to Water Orchids?

Although there are several methods for watering orchids, we will talk about the two most preferred and easy methods.

Soaking Method:

One of the most commonly used methods when watering orchids is to soak the pot into water.

• Use a bowl or basin large enough to fit the orchid's pot easily. Fill the container with water. Make sure the water is at room temperature.

• Immerse the orchid pot in water, be careful not to let the water touch the body and leaves as this can lead to rot.

• Remove the pot from the water after 2-3 minutes and allow it to drain completely. Make sure there's no water left at the bottom of the saucer.

• Check the color of the roots and repeat the process when their color turn grayish as we mentioned above. 

Soaking method is a practical way to water your orchids, but if one of your orchids has any disease, there is a danger of transmitting the disease to other orchids when watering from the same container.

Some diseases in orchids can also infect other orchids you place next to them. Do not water diseased orchids in the same container with other orchids.

It would also be better to keep a newly purchased orchid away from other plants for a while as a precaution.

Pouring Method:

• Prepare water at room temperature. If your tap water has too much chlorine, you should use distilled water.

• Place the orchid in a sink or a container. Pour water directly onto the potting bark. Avoid pouring water over the body and leaves, as this can lead to root rot.

• Pour enough water carefully so that water reaches all parts of the potting mix. Ensure that the roots are evenly watered.

• Let the pot sit for a few minutes to allow any excess water to drain.

You must always use pots with drainage holes specially designed for orchids.

If your orchid lives in moss, you should immediately clean the moss and plant it in the orchid mix (such as bark). Moss retains too much water and this leads root rot.