Do not water orchids too often
Many orchids shouldn't be too dry or too moist, while others should stay dry in between. The latter group includes the popular Phalaenopsis, which you only water when the substrate feels dry to the touch. In general - the instructions apply to many species of orchid, but not all - you should water the flowering plants about once or twice a week. How often you actually have to water, however, depends among other things on these conditions:
- Orchid species
- used substrate / use of substrate at all
- Location (full sun or Penumbra, Window or terrarium, bathroom or living room ...)
- Ambient temperature and season (heating air in winter!)
- Humidity (orchids above a heater need more water ...)
also read
- Watering orchids correctly - tips for proper watering
- The optimal irrigation for orchids - how to properly water the beauties
- How do I care for orchids when they are growing?
How you can tell that your orchids need water
Don't wait for your orchids to droop with leaves and flowers before watering. At this point the roots may already be damaged by the persistent drought. You should therefore regularly check with your fingers whether the substrate in the pot is still moist or already dry to the touch. If it is dry about two centimeters deep, water the orchid deeply. The substrate should be moistened deeply and right down to the bottom of the pot, whereby excess irrigation water must run off. So wait a few minutes after watering and pour away any water that has run out of the planter. Keep the humidity high, for example by spraying the orchids regularly or always If you have bowls with water on the heater, you need the plants much less often to water. Orchids are able to absorb and process liquid from the environment through their leaves.
The main rules for watering orchids
Most windowsill orchids are likely to receive far too much water rather than die from lack of moisture. Water You should therefore use the flowers as sparingly or as possible. seldom, but stronger. Frequent watering in small sips, on the other hand, is not recommended, since with this method too little water reaches the roots below, in particular. Also make sure that:
- do not use cold tap water
- Descale and warm up tap water before watering
- Catch and use rainwater if possible
- alternatively, mix decalcified tap water and distilled water
- do not use mineral or sparkling water for watering
Tips
Orchids are great for watering by sticking three to four fiberglass wicks in the pot, these Bundled through the drain hole at the bottom of the pot and into a container with water underneath let hang in. The irrigation is done by capillary forces and is good u. a. for the vacation time.
