The Correct Way to Water Orchids
Are you meticulously caring for your orchids but always encountering rotting roots and yellow leaves? As the leading among China's top ten famous flowers, 80% of the orchid's maintenance issues stem from improper watering. Mastering the technique of scientific watering can not only prevent root rot but also make the orchid's leaves glossy and upright, blooming with a fragrant aroma every year.
The Three Golden Rules of Watering Orchids
Avoid Fatal Mistakes - Preventing Water Accumulation in the Leaf Heart
Use a long-spout watering can to slowly pour water along the pot wall, making sure the water flow does not directly hit the leaf core. If water accidentally enters, immediately absorb it with a cotton swab. There was a orchid enthusiast whose plant was infected with soft rot disease three days after water accumulated in the leaf heart at night, a profound lesson.
Watering by Immersion - Deep Nourishment for the Roots
Prepare a shallow dish with a diameter of 30cm and fill it with 2cm of sunlight-exposed water. Submerge the orchid pot in it and remove it once the surface of the potting soil looks damp. This method is particularly suitable for potted plants using bark substrates, ensuring that the roots absorb water sufficiently without accumulating water.
Four-Season Watering Schedule
In spring and autumn, water between 8-9 am. In summer, complete watering before 7 am. In winter, operate between 10 am and 2 pm, with the water temperature reaching above 18°C. Remember the slogan "Water at noon in winter, water at dawn in summer" to avoid sudden temperature changes that damage the roots.
Advanced Maintenance Key Details
Soil Dryness and Wetness Judgment Method
Insert a bamboo stick into the potting soil 2/3 of the way and let it sit for 5 minutes before pulling it out. If the tip is not damp, has no sticky soil, and the pot's weight is reduced by 1/3, it is time to water. Avoid watering solely based on the dryness of the surface soil.
Air Humidity Synergy Control
Place a humidity meter next to the pot and maintain an environmental humidity of 60-70%. Combine morning and evening foliar misting (avoiding the flowers) and use a humidifier more than 1 meter away from the plant. During the plum rain season, spread volcanic stones to adjust the local microenvironment.
After three months of practice and tracking, orchid enthusiasts who adopted this method reported: a 40% increase in the rate of new sprouts and a 2-3 spike increase in flower arrows. Remember, the core of watering orchids lies in simulating the native environment of "moist but not wet," combined with regular potting material replacement, your orchids will surely show impressive vitality.