Talking about the related knowledge of orchids, a member of the Orchidaceae family, and how to water orchids, the following is a detailed explanation by the editor for you.
Knowing how to water orchids can be a headache for beginners. First, water is an essential component of the protoplasm of orchid plants. The water content in the protoplasm of orchid plants is usually over 80%. If the water content decreases, the life activities will be affected. If too much water is lost from the protoplasm, it can cause damage to the protoplasm, leading to the death of the plant.
Second, water is a raw material in the metabolic process of orchid plants. The assimilation and dissimilation processes in the orchid plant, such as photosynthesis, respiration, and hydrolysis reactions, all require the participation of water molecules.
Third, water is the medium for the metabolic process of orchid plants. Nutritional elements in the cultivation medium can only be absorbed by the orchid roots when dissolved in water, and various metabolic products must also be transported to different parts of the orchid plant with water.
Fourth, water helps orchid plants maintain their inherent shape. Only with a large amount of water inside the cells can the cells expand, making the plant upright and facilitating light absorption and gas exchange. If the plant loses water, it will wither.
Fifth, water can regulate the body temperature of orchid plants. Water has a high heat of vaporization and specific heat, as well as good thermal conductivity, which helps the orchid plant maintain its body temperature and dissipate heat. One of the important functions of watering orchids is to regulate the plant's body temperature.
Firstly, it is necessary to consider the growth season of the orchids. Orchids should be watered more frequently during the growing season or the bud formation period, less during the dormant period, more during the germination period, less after germination, more when flower buds appear, and less during the flowering period to extend the blooming time. Stop watering for a few days after the flowers fade to allow the plant to enter dormancy before watering again.
Secondly, it depends on the growth condition of the orchids. Water more for strong-growing orchids and less for those with poor growth, do not water diseased plants, water less for orchids that need rescue, more for pots with many plants, and less for those with fewer plants.
Thirdly, it depends on the moisture retention of the cultivation medium. Fine-textured substrates with good water retention (such as mountainous wood chips) consume water slowly, so the watering frequency should be reduced. Conversely, for coarser-textured substrates with poor water retention (such as Xian soil), the watering frequency should be increased.
Fourth, consider the material and size of the pot. Pots with good breathability, like earthenware pots, should be watered more, while pots with poor breathability, like purple sand or plastic pots, should be watered less. Small pots dry out faster, and large pots take longer to dry, so the watering frequency should also differ.
Timing for watering orchids
Watering orchids also has certain scientific principles. Generally speaking, watering in the morning is preferable.
In spring and summer, when orchids are outdoors, it is best to water early in the morning: first, the potting mix is cooler after a night of cooling down, so watering at this time will not harm the plants; second, watering thoroughly in the morning until it becomes slightly moist by evening, with no standing water at night, ensures good air circulation in the pot, which is beneficial for the orchid roots to breathe and circulate; third, if watering in the evening, the slow evaporation of water can cause waterlogging, while during the day, when the transpiration rate is high, the pot has already become moist, creating a situation of "waterlogging when it should be dry and a lack of water when it should be moist"; fourth, watering with cold water in the evening when the pot temperature is still high can suddenly lower the temperature, affecting root water absorption and disrupting physiological balance; fifth, at night, when the temperature is low and orchid plant cell activity is weak, excessive water can lead to the multiplication of pathogens and the breeding of snails and slugs. In winter and early spring, when orchids are indoors, it is better to delay watering until the temperature rises around 9 a.m. or at noon.
In general, the principle to follow is: water orchids in the morning, earlier when the temperature is high and later when the temperature is low.
Amount of water for orchids
"Water thoroughly" is a measure of how much water to give orchids. What does "water thoroughly" mean? The standard for "water thoroughly" is not only to let the water flow out from the bottom of the pot but also to moisten all the potting mix in the pot. Often, one watering is not enough to meet the "thorough" standard, so to moisten the potting mix thoroughly, it may be necessary to water several times or use the immersion method. For dry granular substrates, immersion is necessary to water thoroughly, but this method should not be used continuously and should be interspersed with breaks to allow the orchids to "breathe." Also, in winter and early spring, the amount of water should not be too much, just keeping it moist.
In summary, the successful watering methods used by others may not necessarily apply to your orchid garden. Water less when flowering buds appear; water more when grass buds sprout; keep slightly moist when flowers are in full bloom; and water can be more when unusual flowers appear.
The above is the full content on how to water orchids, hoping it will be helpful to green plant enthusiasts!