Tips for Watering Orchid

One of the toughest parts about owning and growing orchids is learning to water them properly. These plants are actually natural in areas where the air is humid. They are used to periods of dryness but also heavy periods of wet. Because of this, many orchids have ways to store water in their roots and stems, and they still prefer to be dry between watering. If you’re working on caring for your first orchid, here are some watering orchid tips to help you out:

Type of orchid

Figure out which type of orchid you’re growing and what that type needs. This is vital to your orchid’s success! There are literally thousands of varieties and hybrids of orchids around today, and they all have slightly different needs. Make sure you know what your particular orchid expects. If you keep more than one type of orchid, mark them all or make notes accordingly, as well.

Growing medium and pots

Make sure you know your growing medium and pots. It’s not hard to find out what type of watering your growing medium and pots will require. Some mediums dry out faster than others and will call for more frequent watering. Likewise, some pots hold in more water than others and will call for less watering. Plastic pots, for instance, dry out much more slowly than terra cotta pots or woven baskets, so plants in these pots need to be watered more sparingly and less often.

Always water in the morning

This is true of most plants, but it’s particularly true of delicate orchids. You want to water your plants in the morning so that they have all day to soak up the water and for some of it to evaporate. That way, there won’t be standing water by the cooler hours of the evening. Standing water or even drops on the plant’s leaves can result in fungi and other terrible conditions for the plants.

Type of water

Pay attention to the type of water you’re using. In some areas, tap water is really not good for delicate orchids. Many growers prefer to use rainwater. If you’re really into growing orchids, you can try watering orchid with rainwater that you catch outside your home. It’s not hard to build a water tub on your own, either. Another option is to use distilled water, which can be just as effective.

Water temperature

Keep track of the water temperature, too. Since orchids are from tropical climates, they’re naturally suited for warmer water. Try to make sure that the water temperature is roughly equal to the room temperature, and you’ll be fine. Just don’t give your orchids water that is too cold, or you might damage them seriously.

Water the roots

Try to keep water only on the roots of the plant. Some types of orchids are more sensitive to this than others, but in general, they prefer not to have water on their leaves. Gently lift the leaves of the plant and water only the roots underneath it for the best results.