Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Orchids are a very popular indoor plant, and there are many beautiful flowers sold in nurseries and garden centers. In the wild, orchids often live on trees with their roots exposed to sunlight, air and water. Potted orchids require special watering that simulates the natural environment. You should water the orchid in moderation, when the soil is almost completely dry.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Timing of watering

1. 

   Water in moderation. There are no orchids that need daily watering. The fact is that too much watering can rot the roots of the plant and eventually the plant will die. Unlike many houseplants, orchids should only be watered when they start to dry out. Watering when the plant is almost dry should be a practice of watering that is appropriate for the particular environment.
   • If in cool air, orchids will need less water than if in warm environments.
   • If the orchid pot is placed in a sunny window, the plant will need to be watered more often when placed in a shady area.

2. 

   
   
   Consider the climate factor. How often you water your orchid depends on the humidity in the area you live in, the amount of sunlight the plant receives and the air temperature. These factors vary from place to region and from house to house, so there are no guidelines for how often to water the plants. You will have to find a watering routine that is appropriate for your particular environment.
   • If in cool air, orchids will need less watering than in warmer environments.
   • If the orchid pot is placed in a sunny window, the plant will need to be watered more often than when placed in a shady area.

3. 

   
   
   Observe the planting media to see if it is dry. This is the first sign that the plant needs watering or not. The growing medium usually consists of bark or moss, and if it looks dry or dusty, it may be time to water. However, you still do not know exactly whether it is time to water or not if you just look at the growing media.

4. 

   
   
   Lift the pot to check weight. The pot will be lighter when it's time to water. If the pot is still heavy, there is still water inside it. Gradually you will get an estimate of how much weight the pot needs to be watered compared to when there is still moisture inside the pot.
   • Potted plants that are still moist may look different. If the orchid is in clay pots, the pot will be darker when it is still wet. If the pot is light in color, it may not be time to water the plant.

5. 

   Try it with your finger. This is the best way to determine if your orchid needs watering. Poke your little finger into the orchid substrate, be careful not to cut the roots. If you don't see very little or no moisture, it's time to water your plant. If it feels damp, wait a while. If in doubt, wait a day. advertisement

Part 2 of 2: Water properly

1. 

   Make sure the pot has a drainage hole. You may not be able to properly water your orchids if the pot has no holes for the water to drain. Standing water in the pot will rot the roots of the plant, so the pot should have drainage holes at the bottom. If the orchid you buy is planted in a decorative pot with no holes, you need to replant it in a pot with a drainage hole. Use specialized media for orchids instead of soil for conventional plants.
   • Find pots specifically designed for orchids. These pots are usually made of baked clay and have additional drainage holes on the wall of the pot. You can find these pots also from other potted plants.
   • If you just want to find out how to quickly water the orchid without having to replant it, you can water it with ice cubes. Place an ice cube equal to ¼ cup (60 ml) of water (usually 3 ice cubes) on the substrate in the tub. Remember not to touch the orchid plant, but only on the base for the ice to melt into the pot. Wait about a week before watering again. This method is not good for orchids in the long run, so you should only use it as a temporary solution.

2. 

   Keep the pot under the tap. The easiest way to water an orchid is to place the pot under room temperature running water. If the sink faucet has a shower head, it is better for the plant than a strong stream of water. Water the orchid this way for a minute so that the water soaks into the potting medium and drains out of the bottom drainage hole.
   • Do not use water that has been softened or chemically treated. If you're growing a special orchid, consider using distilled or rainwater.
   • The water must drain quickly through the pot. If the water appears to be stuck in the pot, the planting medium is probably too tight.
   • After watering your plant, check the pot's weight to see when the pot is lighter and needs watering again.

3. 

   Water the plants morning or afternoon. This way, excess water will have plenty of time to evaporate before dark. If the water stays in the pot overnight, the roots may rot or the plant is susceptible to disease.
   • If you notice condensation on leaves, dry them with a paper towel.
   • Check the catch disc for a few minutes after watering the plants and remove the water so that there is no standing water underneath the orchids.

4. 

   Mist the plant. Orchids grow well in humid environments, so misting orchids is a great way to keep plants healthy, especially to prevent root drying. Fill a spray bottle with water and mist the plant several times a day. The frequency of misting depends on the environment in which you live. Drier environments will require more mist, humid environments only need to spray once a day.
   • If you don't know if the orchid needs to mist again, check to see if it is dry.
   • Do not let water stand on the leaves.
   • You can find aerosols at most supermarkets or online.
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Advice

• When an orchid is in bloom or when it has new shoots and roots, it is when the plant needs more water.
• When orchids are in the middle of blooming periods, the plants will need less water. This period is usually in late autumn and from early to mid-winter, depending on the orchid variety.
• The growing media has a coarse and spongy texture that allows air to circulate well through the roots while retaining moisture. The easiest way to get a good substrate for an orchid plant is to buy a pre-mixed nursery substrate.
• Larger plants will need more water than smaller plants even if potted plants of the same size.
• In cool temperatures and low light, orchids will need less water.
• Orchids will need less water in very humid environments and more water in very dry environments. Humidity 50-60% is ideal.
• Take good care of the plant.
• If you live in a dry, sunny area, your orchid will need to be watered more often.

Warning

• If you use water-soluble fertilizers, the salts can build up in the potting medium or in the potted plants and eventually harm the plant. Don't use fertilizer every time you water the plant.
• Orchids will die quickly if the pot is soaked in water.
• If you water the flowers, small mold spots will appear on the flowers. The mold spots do not harm the plant, but will make the flowers lose their beauty.
• Wilting or rotting leaves of an orchid can be caused by over-watering the plant, causing the roots to rot and not draining the leaves, or because the plant is too dry. You should check by touching the substrate before watering.
• Don't leave water on the leaves of the orchid, as this can cause the leaves to rot and bacteria to grow.