When and how to water an orchid?

Phalaenopsis are orchids that bloom in spring

Some say that orchids are the queens of the world of flowers. Their elegance and bold colors make these plants look spectacular in tropical gardens or even indoors. However, you can’t give them any kind of water to drinkas they could start to have problems right away.

They are not very complicated plants; in fact, the main drawback is the type of water with which it is watered. So, to have it beautiful, I’m going to tell you how to water an orchid.

What is there to know about watering orchids?

The irrigation of the orchids will be controlled

To water an orchid, several things must be taken into account, such as the type of plant it is (epiphytic or terrestrial), the place where we have it (indoor or outdoor) and, if you are away from home, it is also necessary to know what the climate is like. . So let’s look at each of these points in detail:

The irrigation of terrestrial orchids and that of epiphytes is different

There is a great variety of orchids; in fact, it is estimated that there are more than 20 thousand different species spread over about 800 genres. The vast majority of them live near the equator, in both hemispheres, where they grow in tropical forests where it rains very frequently, but there are also some in temperate regions, such as the Balearic Ophryswhich is an endemism (that is, it only grows there) of the Balearic Islands (Spain).

But all of them can be classified depending on whether they are epiphytic or terrestrial: the first are those that grow on the branches of trees; the others do it on the ground instead. There are also others that are lithophytes, which are those that grow between rocks, but when cultivating them they are given the same care as epiphytes.

Each of them has a different root system:

  • The roots of epiphytic orchids are designed to absorb light and moisture from the air, but they also need to be as oxygenated as possible. For this reason, they are almost transparent, and this is also why these plants should be grown in transparent plastic pots with suitable substrates, such as pine bark.
    Examples: Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, Coologyne, Dendrobium.
  • The roots of terrestrial orchids grow towards the center of the earth. Its function is to keep them attached to the groundas well as absorbing water and the nutrients that can be found in it. Thus, these plants have to be grown in colored plastic pots, to keep the roots protected from light, and with substrates such as coconut fiber.
    Examples: Cymbidium (this one can actually live both on the branches and on the ground, although it is usually more in colored pots), Paphiopedilum, Calanthe, Ophrys.

Watering epiphytic orchids

As these plants must be kept in transparent pots, it is quite easy to know when to water them: when its roots are white or whitish. During the summer we will see that this happens frequently, so we will have to water more often than in winter.

Of course, to avoid problems, we advise not to put a plate under them, or at least if we do not want to remove it, we will remember to drain it after each watering. If we don’t, the roots will rot, which is why it’s not a good idea to keep them in pots either.

Irrigation of terrestrial orchids

The watering of terrestrial orchids is different from that of epiphytes

The watering of this type of orchids is different from the one that must be given to the epiphytes. Being in colored pots, it is difficult to know at a glance when it is time to water them. For this reason, what we will do is check the humidity of the earth. For example, we can use a digital meter, or insert a thin wooden stick.

It must be done with care not to damage the roots too much. Therefore, it is better if we introduce it more towards the edge of the pot and not near the stem of the plant. If we see that it is dry, then we will add plenty of water to rehydrate it.

Location is key to knowing when to water orchids

And is that the conditions inside the house are not the same as outside. The wind, the temperatures, the humidity, … Inside the house the plants – all, without exception – need to be watered less than those that are outdoorsas it takes longer for the earth to dry out. Thus, in winter we will water once, or perhaps twice a week, while in summer two or three times a week.

Instead, those that are grown outside, as they are exposed to the climatic conditions, do need to be watered more frequently. But even so, we have to bear in mind that if it rains one day, we must not water the orchids until it is not necessary. In this sense, it can be very useful to be a little attentive to the weather forecast, either through meteorology web pages such as the AEMET (State Meteorological Agency, of Spain) or by buying one home weather station.

What type of water to use to water the orchids?

So that your plant produces flowers year after year it is important that you receive quality water. And what do we understand as quality water? Very easy: to rain water. But of course, it does not rain in the same way in all parts of the world, and in some regions it is very difficult to have it whenever you want, what to do in these cases?

If you live like me in an area where the rains are very scarce, you can choose to water with distilled water, osmosis or, you can even fill a bucket with water and let it sit overnight. The next day, bottles are filled with the water that is closer to the upper half of the bucket, and your orchid will already have enough liquid for a long season.

When to water orchids?

We have the water, but … how often is this plant watered? Depends. In general we can say that if your orchid is epiphyte (They are sold planted in transparent pots with pine bark), all you have to do is look at the color of the roots: if it is white, it needs water. On the other hand, if it is Earththe ideal is to water it 2 or 3 times a week in summer, and every 5 days the rest of the year.

Anyway, let’s see how often some of the most popular orchids are watered:

  • Cymbidium: its flowers are quite similar to those of the Phalaenopsis, but their care is somewhat simpler. However, it is afraid of waterlogging, so you have to water them two or three times a week during the summer, and reduce the frequency in the fall and winter.
  • Dendrobium: it will depend a lot on the season of the year in which we are. In summer they may need two weekly irrigations, but in autumn they started to reduce the frequency of irrigation.
  • Phalaenopsis: they are one of the most cultivated. Its flowers are very showy, and also, for many weeks. The watering of these plants will be determined by the color of their roots: if we see it white, then they need water.

How to water orchids?

The watering of the orchids will be moderate

The easiest way is by pouring water into the substrate, that is, you have to do what is known as irrigation from above. Always try to avoid wetting the leaves and flowers. Likewise, it is important to moisten the whole earth well, so should be watered until water comes out of the drainage holes.

Is it possible to water in other ways? Let’s talk a bit about it:

How to water orchids by immersion?

Irrigation by immersion, or from below, is interesting when we have a plant that has suffered from a lack of water and we want the substrate to be moistened as soon as possible. For it, we put a plate under the pot and fill it with water. Then we wait about twenty minutes, and voila.

But watering an orchid that is healthy in this way I personally don’t like it, since it is usually taken as a custom to leave the plate to it and fill it with water every little time. Thus, the roots are in almost constant contact with the liquid, and in the end they rot.

How to water an orchid in a glass jug?

I’m very sorry to say it, but the first thing I’m going to recommend is that you get the plant out of there. The irrigation water is stagnant in the jug, and that is very, very harmful to the orchid. I would also tell you the same if you have it in a pot without holes.

Roots need oxygen, but when they have too much water that gas is simply lost. Consequently, the plant literally drowns. So it is necessary that the water that is not absorbed stays away from your root system.

If you still want to have it there, then you will have to take good care of the irrigationand pour water only when you see that the earth is dry and / or its roots are whitish (in case it is epiphytic).

I hope these tips are useful to you and your orchid will give you many flowers.

When and how to water an orchid?

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