Water
Watering less is best (for most orchids).
Most orchids like to get almost dry between watering. Too many orchids die from getting too much water. So sad! You want your potting medium to feel almost dry, but not bone dry, and light in weight before you water. You can also put your finger or a stick into the potting medium to test the moisture. If it comes out wet, it's not ready to water. Many growers say "If your orchid feels like it will be dry tomorrow, water today." Then, when the potting medium feels almost dry, take your orchid out of the decorative pot or terra-cotta clay, but keep it in our plastic grower pot, and water under a slow-running cool tap for about 10–15 seconds on each side of the plant.
Most orchids like to get almost dry between watering. Too many orchids die from getting too much water. So sad! You want your potting medium to feel almost dry, but not bone dry, and light in weight before you water. You can also put your finger or a stick into the potting medium to test the moisture. If it comes out wet, it's not ready to water. Many growers say "If your orchid feels like it will be dry tomorrow, water today." Then, when the potting medium feels almost dry, take your orchid out of the decorative pot or terra-cotta clay, but keep it in our plastic grower pot, and water under a slow-running cool tap for about 10–15 seconds on each side of the plant.
Alternately, you can dunk your orchid in water for a few minutes and let it soak up some water. Either way, you’ll want to avoid getting the crown, foliage and flowers wet. You’ll know it’s gotten enough water when it feels fairly heavy. Please make sure to let it drip dry for a few seconds before returning to the decorative pot.
Repeat this process when the potting medium feels almost dry and light in weight again. If your orchid is standing in water or its roots are turning from a bright gray-green to a mushy mess, it’s getting too much water. And don’t let your potting medium stay constantly wet or soggy. |
The surprising reason some orchids don't last is because we tend to take too much care of them. Overwatering is the #1 reason many orchids drop their blooms before they should. " |
Most orchids like to be watered every week or two.
For most regular-sized Phalaenopsis, Miltonias, and Nobile Dendrobiums, water every 10–15 days. Mini Phalaenopsis like water every 7–10 days. Exotics should be watered every 7–12 days because they store their water in their bulbs, not their roots, so dry out more quickly. If your home or office is hot or dry, you’ll probably need to water more often. If it’s cold or humid, a little less often.
*If you live in an area with higher temperatures or lower humidity, you may need to water more often. You can also make a humidity tray by placing the plants on a tray of gravel, partially filled with water, so that the pots never sit in water.
For most regular-sized Phalaenopsis, Miltonias, and Nobile Dendrobiums, water every 10–15 days. Mini Phalaenopsis like water every 7–10 days. Exotics should be watered every 7–12 days because they store their water in their bulbs, not their roots, so dry out more quickly. If your home or office is hot or dry, you’ll probably need to water more often. If it’s cold or humid, a little less often.
*If you live in an area with higher temperatures or lower humidity, you may need to water more often. You can also make a humidity tray by placing the plants on a tray of gravel, partially filled with water, so that the pots never sit in water.
Our recommended watering schedule by variety:
- Phalaenopsis, Nobile Dendrobiums, and Miltonias should be watered every 10-15 days. Allow to almost dry out between waterings.
- Exotics (Intergenerics and Oncidiums) dry out quickly and should be watered every 7-12 days. Allow potting medium to almost dry out between waterings.
- Mini Phalaenopsis should be watered every 7-10 days and can be allowed to almost dry out between waterings.
Yes, you can water with ice.
When you can’t water under a tap or dunk your orchid, a few ice cubes once a week will do. We like using this method for orchid gardens when the orchids are planted into ceramic pots. Many of our customers swear by the ice watering method for any orchid, and have had great success with it. We like to use three 1"x1" ice cubes for our standard-sized orchids and one or two ice cubes for our mini sizes. You’ll need to use ice about twice as often as you would water.
When you can’t water under a tap or dunk your orchid, a few ice cubes once a week will do. We like using this method for orchid gardens when the orchids are planted into ceramic pots. Many of our customers swear by the ice watering method for any orchid, and have had great success with it. We like to use three 1"x1" ice cubes for our standard-sized orchids and one or two ice cubes for our mini sizes. You’ll need to use ice about twice as often as you would water.
If you forgot to water, don’t despair!
You can make up for under-watering by giving your plant’s potting medium a good soak. Keeping your orchid in its plastic grower’s pot, put it in a bucket or sink with water, filled so that the water doesn’t hit the leaves or the crown of the plant, and let it soak for an hour or two. Then remove it from the water and let it drip dry before returning it to its pot. Voila! Just remember you don’t want your potting medium to remain constantly soggy and wet. Wait for it to be almost dry before watering it again. |
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If you’ve overwatered your orchid, you need to let it dry out.
It’s better to underwater than it is to overwater. If the plant’s leaves are limp, just let it dry out for a week before watering again and cut back on your watering schedule. If your plant’s roots are mushy and brown, however, it may be difficult to save it. Also, if you notice that all of your orchid’s flowers wilt or drop at once, take it out of the decorative pot to ensure it’s not sitting in water. We’ve heard of quite a few “helpful” children (and significant others) who watered their family orchid, so it’s always good to check its potting medium and roots, even if you don't think you've overwatered it. If it has been overwatered, you can try to let the plant dry out and cut mushy the roots with a sterile clipper, but you’ll probably need to start over again with a fresh plant. Just remember for next time: Watering less is best!
It’s better to underwater than it is to overwater. If the plant’s leaves are limp, just let it dry out for a week before watering again and cut back on your watering schedule. If your plant’s roots are mushy and brown, however, it may be difficult to save it. Also, if you notice that all of your orchid’s flowers wilt or drop at once, take it out of the decorative pot to ensure it’s not sitting in water. We’ve heard of quite a few “helpful” children (and significant others) who watered their family orchid, so it’s always good to check its potting medium and roots, even if you don't think you've overwatered it. If it has been overwatered, you can try to let the plant dry out and cut mushy the roots with a sterile clipper, but you’ll probably need to start over again with a fresh plant. Just remember for next time: Watering less is best!