The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
Orchids are beautiful, delicate flowers that can thrive year after year.
Knowing how to water orchids is key to their care and maintenance.
It shouldn’t go longer than two to three weeks without water as it will start to die.
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
However, some species may have slightly different needs, so followspecies guidelinesmore closely than generalized watering practices.
Mostorchids grown in the homeare epiphytes, meaning they live in nature by clinging to trees or even stones.
The roots of these plants are highly specialized organs that differ dramatically from other plant roots.
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
Watering orchids isn’t complicated, but they are different than other houseplants.
Orchids watered improperly are probably the cause of more orchid deaths than any other reason.
On the side of caution, most orchids would rather be slightly underwatered than overwatered.
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
Orchid roots constantly kept wet will rot, and the plant will decline.
Orchid roots are surrounded by a tissue-paper-thin membrane called velamen.
Orchid velamen is an excellent indicator of your plant’s water needs.
Orchids can be watered from the top or bottom.Mounted plantswill need more water than unmounted plants.
Standard orchid mixes include fir bark, tree fern fiber, sphagnum moss, perlite, and gravel.
The greater the water retention, the less you oughta water.
Bark or Wood Chips
Bark or wood chips initially repel water.
However, if you soak the pot in a container full of water, it will retain the water.
Moss
Sphagnum mossis a fine substrate that holds water better than bark.
Tree Fern Fiber
Tree fern is a fiber harvested from the trunks of tree ferns.
It is used as a major component of orchid potting mixes.
It is not as woody as bark, though it decays similarly.
Perlite
Perlite, also known as sponge rock, is volcanic glass exposed to high heat.
It does not decay and doesn’t leach away nutrients from plants.
It’s also a very easy medium to find in nurseries, garden centers, and online.
Factors That Affect Watering
Watering orchids is about balance and instinctand plenty of patience.
It’s always best to follow the rules for your particular plant.
There are, however, some best practices that will greatly increase your chances of success.
Common Orchid Watering Mistakes
Just because orchids are tropical plants doesn’t mean they love water.
Many popular orchids are tropical plants, but they are tropical plants that live in trees.
Orchids do not need a lot of water.
Orchids can be watered from the top or bottom.
When watering from the top be sure to water at the base of the plant.
It’s necessary to water orchids when their potting material dries out.
