What is the best time to water my orchid? I believe it is one of the most commonly asked issues about orchid culture, and I would expect it to be as it is an essential aspect of growing any plant, let alone orchids.
The most straightforward and true response is “when the plant need it,” but this is useless if you don’t know when. You must first understand the needs of the orchid in question, as you cannot give a Disa and a Cattleya the same watering plan because they are on opposing ends of the scale!
You can try to implement the orchid’s requirements as best you can once you have an idea of what they are. With the majority of orchids, it is best to let the potting mix dry slightly between waterings, especially with orchids with pseudobulbs as these have water stored; you are more likely to kill an orchid by overwatering than underwatering. And by overwatering, I don’t mean the amount of water used at one time; I have a saying: “If in doubt, don’t water.” There are exceptions, and one of them is Disa, which requires constant hydration at the roots and actually sits in water!
Lifting the pot and feeling the weight is a good technique to discover when to water; when the weight is light, it’s time to water. Clear pots make it simple to tell when to water, but you can also use a wooden skewer inserted into the potting mix to water mark the skewer, giving you a visual indication of whether or not to water. You can also stick your finger in the potting mix, or, as I do frequently, delicately tip the plant out of the container and inspect the mix and roots. You will learn when to water with time, and you will simply know when to water, believe me!
To avoid shock and injury to the roots, allow the water you chose to become the ambient temperature of the room in which the orchids are housed. Alternatively, reheat the water slightly rather than using cold water.
Phalaenopsis orchids are by far the most common orchid houseplant, therefore I’ll use them as an example of how to water them.
Phalaenopsis, unlike orchids with bulbs or canes, do not store water, implying that they require a regular watering cycle with no winter break, as do cool-growing Dendrobiums or Cymbidiums.
With that in mind, this does not imply that Phalaenopsis should be kept wet or damp all of the time; if I suggested you to do so, you would most certainly overwater, which would damage the roots.
What I recommend is a wet then dry cycle, which is really simple to accomplish. Many people may put their orchid in a clear pot, then cover it with a beautiful pot or cover. Simply pour water into the pot/root surface, which will run through the clear pot and fill the pot cover, forming an orchid bath! Allow 15 minutes for your orchid to relax in the orchid bath, then remove and drain any excess water from the clear pot. To save money, discard the water in the pot cover or use it on other houseplants. That’s it for watering; now enjoy your Phalaenopsis and wait until the potting mix is completely dry before watering again.
How often do you water a phalaenopsis orchid?
Watering your phal once a week is usually enough if it’s potted in bark. When the top of your moss-potted plant feels dry, water it. The quantity of light and heat your plant receives has an impact on how often it needs to be watered. Summer months will necessitate more regular watering, but winter months will necessitate less.
What is the best way to water an orchid?
The kitchen sink is the greatest spot to water your plant. Water your plant for around 15 seconds with lukewarm water (do not use salt softened or distilled water) and be sure to fully wet the media. Allow around 15 minutes for the plant to drain. It may appear dry, but it has received sufficient water.
Should I mist my phalaenopsis orchid?
While there are certain advantages to misting your orchids, there are also some disadvantages. Here are six reasons why misting your orchids is a bad idea.
Risk Of Fungal Spots On The Flowers
People maintain orchids at home for the lovely blossoms, but fungal patches can detract from the flowers’ appearance. Misting water droplets are a primary contributor.
Water droplets on the petals will not evaporate fast, especially in cool weather, and a small patch of fungal illness may develop on the petal. This is permanent and will last the flower’s entire life.
I recently purchased a phalaenopsis orchid from a local business that has had this problem since the beginning. To safeguard the orchid, it was wrapped in cellophane and crammed in with other orchids. I didn’t see until I got home that a handful of the blossoms were covered in unattractive fungal patches.
While this isn’t the end of the world, it does detract from the appearance of my flowers. To receive the immaculate orchid flowers I crave, I’ll have to wait until the next blooming cycle.
Risk Of Crown Rot
This is the orchid killer you should be aware of. Some water will run off the leaves and pool in the crown and other locations between the leaves if you shower your orchids on a frequent basis. The water that collects here may not evaporate fast, especially in the conditions that are frequent within our homes.
Evaporation is reduced in colder temperatures and spaces with less airflow. The water may remain in contact with the plant’s leaves and crown for an extended period of time, increasing the risk of leaf and crown rot.
This water will enable crown rot to develop quickly, causing serious harm to the plant. Crown rot eats away at the base of the leaves quickly, and by the time it’s discovered, it’s usually too late to rescue the plant.
If you mist or water your orchids from above, make sure to blot any excess water out of the crown with tissue paper. How to water phalaenopsis orchids is the subject of an essay I wrote.
But why don’t orchids acquire crown rot in the wild? Orchids grown in a greenhouse do not grow in the same manner that orchids grown in the wild do. In nature, orchids do not grow straight in pots; instead, they are attached to trees, with their leaves dangling downwards at an angle. Any water that collects on an orchid’s leaves runs off away from the crown, reducing the chance of crown rot.
There Are Better Ways To Increase Humidity
There are more effective techniques to enhance humidity levels around your orchids without adding to the risks associated with misting.
Fine water droplets are sprayed about your orchid during misting. Many of these may land on the plant and stay there for an extended period of time before evaporating, increasing the risk of fungal and bacterial disease.
What you really want is water vapor, which will raise the air’s humidity level, rather than water droplets, which will collect on plant leaves and flowers. Later in this essay, I’ll offer some advice on how to raise humidity the appropriate way.
Infrequent Misting Can Actually Dehydrate Your Orchid
Most individuals who mist their orchids can only do so on a very rare basis, so the orchid receives little benefit and may even suffer from increased dehydration.
Misting your orchids increases local humidity for a brief period of time. The stomata on the underside of the orchid leaves open as a result of this.
The plant is at risk of losing more water than it gains due to the open stomata caused by the temporary rise in local humidity, as the humidity levels around the plant drop rapidly after misting. As a result, misting your orchids can, in certain cases, cause them to become dehydrated.
Watering Your Orchid Via The Roots Is More Effective
When water is available, orchids have evolved to quickly absorb it through their roots. There’s no need to spray orchids because they’ll get enough of water if you just water them normally.
Watering orchids, especially phalaenopsis orchids, which are the most common kind in our homes, is best done properly but seldom. A phalaenopsis orchid can absorb enough water to last for 1-2 weeks with just a few minutes of exposure to plenty of it.
Risk Of Fungal And Bacterial Disease
The major reason I don’t advocate spraying orchids is because of this. More orchids die from fungal and bacterial disease than from any other cause. Excessive misting and humidity conditions, as well as overwatering, can cause root rot.
Reduce the danger of fungal and bacterial infections by erring on the side of lower humidity and less water in general.
For a little additional information on the matter, check out my video on the benefits and drawbacks of misting orchids.
Can you water orchids with tap water?
Orchids, which belong to the Orchidaceae family, are a popular blooming plant. Orchid plants come in a variety of sizes and hues, with over 28,000 species and 300,000 registered cultivars worldwide. They are commonly grown as indoor houseplants, although many species may also be grown outdoors in USDA plant hardiness zones 6 through 10. Orchids prefer daily air temperatures of 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit when grown inside, and they thrive when placed 12 to 36 inches from a south-facing window. Softened water should not be used to water an orchid plant. Water that has been softened includes salts that could harm the plant. Most chlorinated tap water can be used as long as the chlorine level isn’t too high; however, it’s ideal to water orchids with rainwater or distilled water from a store.
Do I water orchid from top or bottom?
Simply pour water into the pot/root surface, which will run through the clear pot and fill the pot cover, forming an orchid bath! If you continue to drip water through the top, you will eventually have too much water in the bottom of the pot cover, which will damage the roots.
How long can orchids go without water?
You’ve maintained your watering schedule, and your orchids appear to be adapting well to the irrigation conditions you’re providing. Vacations wreak havoc on the system because you may be gone for an extended amount of time. Naturally, you’re concerned about the future of your orchids.
Most orchids can go for two to three weeks (a usual vacation period) without being watered, and some may even go for a month. Cattleyas, Dendrobiums, and Phalaenopsis will all survive without watering for up to three weeks if their medium is kept moist. Few types can live for two months or more, but only with irreversible harm.
Droopy wrinkled leaves, no root growth, and visible veins in the leaf are all indicators of dryness. This is a question that frequently arises during the summer vacation. Your orchid will survive without watering for a regular two-week vacation time.
How do I know if my orchid needs water?
Watering might be a bit of a trial and error process. Keep in mind that long summer days will necessitate more watering, while short winter days will necessitate less.
Another simple technique to tell if the orchid needs watering is to poke deep into the pot with your finger:
How do you water a phalaenopsis orchid in moss?
You may also water your orchid like a regular houseplant by spritzing the moss with water once every seven to ten days. If the moss appears moist, wait a few days before watering. When orchids aren’t in flower, they’re surprisingly hardy when it comes to drying out.
What does a dying orchid look like?
When flowers and buds begin to dry out, turn brown, and fall off the plant after months of lovely blooms, it’s understandable that Phalaenopsis owners become angry and worried that their orchid is dying. When the orchid’s spike shrivels and goes brown, and the previously lustrous leaves fade and flatten, frustrated orchid owners sometimes assume their orchid has perished and toss out a perfectly healthy plant. Your orchid may appear to be dead, but with appropriate orchid care, it may bloom once again and even for several years. All you need is faith and patience!
Orchid Life Cycle
Phalaenopsis orchids, like other flowers, go through an annual cycle of growth, bloom, rest, and “rebirth,” with the cycle starting afresh each year. The beginning of the latent stage of a Phalaenopsis orchid is sometimes mistook for death by new owners. Dormancy is the orchid’s natural resting time and is part of its normal life cycle. Phalaenopsis orchids devote their energy to strengthening their root systems, producing leaves, replenishing energy supplies drained by flowering, and storing nutrients for the next growth and bloom period during dormancy.
A well-cared-for Phalaenopsis orchid has an eight- to twelve-month life cycle, with flowering periods averaging two to three months, while some Phalaenopsis owners have reported blooming periods as long as five or six months, and even longer! Phalaenopsis hybrids can bloom for four seasons, sometimes more, if properly cared for.
Signs of Dormancy
Look for the following signals that your Phalaenopsis orchid is about to enter its resting period:
- As the orchid discards adult leaves, the bottom leaves may yellow or turn crimson.
Download our FREE guide to understand How to Trigger Reblooming if your orchid has gone dormant.