It has happened to many women before: they received a beautiful orchid as a gift for a special occasion. The popular houseplant impresses everyone with its elegance and bloom. Logically, her owner wants to enjoy this exotic animal for a long time and puts a lot of effort into caring for it. You can read interesting facts about different types of orchids, their origin and useful care tips in our other articles. But you know, the be-all and end-all of proper orchid care is watering these room beauties. Watering orchids properly is an art in itself, or rather a science! So that your orchid does not die in a few weeks, despite your efforts, you need to know about its requirements and special features.
Watering orchids properly is a science in itself!
The exotic potted plants attract attention with their unique blooms.
In this article we are focusing on the right watering. The most important things here are the water quality and the amount of water when watering. It is also important to decide whether you want to water your room beauty or immerse it in a water bath to provide it with enough water. You can find out this and much more about the topic of watering orchids correctly with us today. Stay tuned to gain new knowledge about orchid care. The beautiful plant will thank you for your care with new flowers and give you a lot of joy.
A treat for the eyes and soul!
Water orchids properly: When and how often do you have to water the exotic plant?
The rule is: once a week is enough. How grandma used to water the orchids with a shot glass! But there are some details that are crucial when watering the exotic. For example, it’s recommended by flower experts that you water the beauty twice a week when it’s in full bloom. When the plant is in its dormant phase, watering once a week is sufficient. In winter and at room temperatures of around 20 °C, you can water the exotic flower once every two weeks. In addition, the most suitable time for watering is important, and that is in the morning! Then the plant has enough time to dry out a bit until the evening. Why is this recommended? Orchids don’t like waterlogging! This can be fatal to its roots and consequently cause the whole beautiful houseplant to rot. The bad result is that your orchid will soon die.
Water your Exotin when the substrate is dry.
Caution! Waterlogging could lead to an early end of the beautiful exotic.
Water our extra tips for orchids properly
In order to be able to estimate exactly when your orchid needs a new watering, you can proceed as follows. Observe the color of the roots. If these are slightly shiny in rich green, then that is a clear sign that your plant feels good! But if the roots of the orchid turn light gray, it means it needs water! Another trick also applies here: lift the pot once briefly. If it feels light, that means it’s time to water the orchid again. However, if it is too heavy, backwater may already have collected on the bottom. Then you should throw that water away immediately! As you probably know, orchids are kept in transparent glass containers. This is done so that every orchid grower can see the roots of the plant and check the water level in the pot. Smart right?
Beautiful flowers and glossy green roots are a sign of a healthy orchid.
Do not use cold or hard water to water the orchids
You should always water your orchids with water at room temperature. They don’t like cold water! You also have to watch out for the quality of the water. If you use tap water for watering, then you must know that it usually contains a lot of lime. White lime spots then form on the leaves of the houseplant. These must be removed with a damp cloth. Our advice is: avoid calcareous tap water for watering the exotic beauties, as this is not good for them. Prefer rainwater instead. This is a free and healthy alternative in summer! The other method is you have to decalcify the tap water yourself. Here’s how you can do it: Leave the tap water in a container overnight. The lime settles below! You can also boil some tap water and then let it cool overnight. This gives you decalcified water that you can use the next morning.
Always water the orchids with rainwater if you have it.
You can water orchids and other indoor plants with decalcified water.
Some orchid species are resistant to lime!
Two methods have proven to be correct when watering orchids
The water requirement of the exotic indoor plants also depends on the humidity, the location and the type of orchid. In principle, however, two casting methods have proven to be correct. First of all, showering the orchids and dipping the plants into a water bath.
- For the so-called Showering the orchids you need a spray bottle. Fill this with low-lime water, remove the plant from the pot and spray the substrate with a fine mist. It must be very wet. Then leave the plant aside until excess water drains away. Only then can you put the orchid back in the pot.
Watering orchids properly requires the use of plastic or ceramic watering cans.
Avoid metal watering cans as they have a high risk of oxidation. Only with the right watering can you admire real blooms!
- However, many flower lovers prefer the second method for proper watering of orchids. These are called orchids dive in a water bath! Take a basin or bucket and fill the vessel with room temperature water. Take the orchid out of the flower pot and dip it into the water bath. Leave the plant there for 30 to 60 minutes to allow the roots to absorb enough water. Some orchid keepers practice this dipping method differently. You leave the plant in the water bath overnight. That’s far too much for us, so we recommend the first option – a period of up to 60 minutes in the water bath is completely sufficient for the orchid!
Dipping the orchid in a water bath is a tried and tested watering method.
Image 8: At room temperatures of around 20 °C, three ice cubes a week are enough!
Now you know a lot about watering orchids properly, don’t you? Which method do you prefer for proper watering of your room beauty?
Do the best for your orchid!
The exotic thanks you for your care with new beautiful flowers!
