Anyone who loves orchids knows how difficult it is to keep them alive. Once orchids are brought home, they usually begin to lose their flowers and then rot.
If this has happened to you, you know that it was probably the type of watering that decided the fate of your orchid. Good watering is the key to keeping an orchid lasting for many years .
Orchids, like all plants, need a balance of air, light and water to grow and thrive properly. Improper watering is one of the main reasons for plant death.
Although there is no magic formula for watering orchids, there are a few precautions you should take to prevent the roots from rotting. For example, the substrate often looks dry on the surface even though it still retains a lot of moisture inside.
Before watering it is good to weigh the container: a dry substrate will be much lighter.
Insert a wooden stick into the substrate. If it remains dry, it’s time to water your orchid.
Another factor is that the roots of orchids are surrounded by a thin membrane that quickly absorbs large amounts of water. When the membrane is dry, it turns white and when wet, it turns green.
1. Water your orchid by submerging it
The fact that an orchid is a tropical plant does not mean that it needs a lot of water. Too much moisture can cause the plant to rot or make it susceptible to fungus.
You can use the dipping method to water your orchid. Submerge the vase in the water for 20 minutes, being careful not to get the leaves wet. Then allow all excess water to drain away before placing your orchid back in its place.
2. Water the orchid using the ice cube method
Place a few ice cubes on the orchid substrate and wait until they have completely melted.
With this method, the water penetrates gradually, preventing the orchid from rotting.
Now that you know how to properly water orchids, use the methods described above to make your plants last much longer.