So that the phalaenopsis orchid grows healthy and pleases the eye with its beautiful flowers, you need to know how to water the plant correctly. Delicate orchids are especially sensitive to watering.
At improper watering phalaenopsis, the plant will quickly wither. Therefore, every novice and experienced gardener must know the technology of watering and caring for phalaenopsis.
Time to water an orchid
A mandatory rule that must be followed strictly. Phalaenopsis can only be watered with dry roots and dried substrate. You must always remember, first dry it well, then water it. Drying may take several days. This will not harm the plant.
For a flower, drying time is of no small importance. The best option Drying the substrate and orchid roots within 24 hours is considered. This period applies to all types of epiphytic orchids.
Of course, drying time largely depends on climatic conditions. When it is cloudy and rainy outside, the drying time of the substrate increases compared to warm weather. on sunny days. Every gardener must take this factor into account.
Phalaenopsis should not be in a wet substrate for a long time. If he for a long time does not remain wet, it is necessary to replace it and pour a larger substrate, it will begin to dry much faster, due to free space, formed inside.
You need to water orchids:
- In summer – 3 times a week;
- In autumn - once a week;
- In winter - once every 7 days.
The given watering schedule can be changed, it all depends on the individual conditions in which the orchid is grown.
How to know that the substrate and roots have dried well
Unfortunately, the substrate dries out in different places pot in different ways, especially if it contains small fractions. The layer lying on the surface dries faster, since it is more exposed to hot sun rays. The middle one takes much longer to dry; it practically does not see the sun. This also applies to the lower layer, when the orchid stands on the windowsill and is heated by a heating radiator.
To determine whether it is possible to start watering phalaenopsis, you can use several methods:
- Determining the mass of the pot. After watering, you need to lift the pot and feel its weight. After a couple of days, you need to pick up the orchid pot again. If it becomes much lighter, it means it’s time to water.
- Pry up the top crust of the soil, lower your finger to determine what the moisture content is inside the soil.
- You can also use a small wooden stick. To determine whether it is time to water the phalaenopsis, you need to take it out and see how dry it is. If the stick is wet, it means it has not dried completely. It is better to refrain from watering the orchid.
- You can also plant phalaenopsis in a transparent pot. The wet substrate will be much darker than the already dried substrate. Wet orchid roots have green color, completely dry, acquire a silvery tint.
How to properly water orchids
The best way to water is to immerse the orchid pot in a container filled with water. She's needed there hold for about 15 minutes. IN winter time Five minutes will be enough. During this time, the roots together with the substrate will become well wet. Then the pot is pulled out and the water is allowed to drain completely.
Very often, the question is asked: how to water a phalaenopsis orchid so as not to harm it. It is better to water the plant in the morning so that it can dry well before the evening. This is also due to the properties of the orchid. She “drinks” water very actively during the daytime. If you water an orchid in evening time, its substrate will dry out much longer.
Which shower to choose for an orchid?
Flower growers claim that a hot shower has a strong effect on the orchid. She blooms for a very long time and often. Flowers become more beautiful, she stops reacting to all kinds of diseases.
Of course, this procedure is very useful, but still the shower should not be very hot. It is intended only for washing off dust from plants.
Among the many types of orchids, not all can handle showers well. These include:
- Cumbria;
- Miltonia;
- “Shoes;
Water temperature plays a huge role. It should not exceed 40°C. Otherwise, the phalaenopsis will simply boil.
After a shower, be sure to blot with a napkin all hard-to-reach places where water may have gotten in. It's about about the growing point and leaf axils.
There are several contraindications for showering orchids. It is forbidden to give a hot shower to phalaenopsis that is at rest. Usually this applies to the autumn and winter periods.
What kind of water is suitable for irrigation?
For an orchid, this issue is also considered very important. Our tap sometimes leaks very bad water, with impurities and rust. The question is quite natural: how to water phalaenopsis if there is no good, clean water.
For proper watering, the water must first be filtered and then boiled. As a result, it will become softer and all impurities will be removed from it. You can also use distilled water.
In principle, distilled water is already the ideal of purity. But it lacks useful microelements and salts. In this regard, in order to water home plants with distilled water, it is necessary to add the missing microelements to such water, along with fertilizers.
If you water phalaenopsis with hard water, which contains a lot of salts, the roots begin to become covered with a white coating. It needs to be washed off. Any acidic environment is suitable for this, for example, kefir or lemon juice with water.
Lighting
In order for flowers to grow well, they need to create appropriate conditions. Very important correct lighting. IN summer time, the flower should bathe in sunlight, and in winter period You can create additional lighting by connecting a fluorescent lamp.
If you water your orchid correctly and adhere to the technology described above, you can grow a beautiful homemade phalaenopsis.
Orchids, especially the Phalaenopsis genus, are popular among gardeners. To make the plant happy abundant flowering all year round, you need to take good care of it. It is especially important to water the orchid correctly, regardless of the type and variety.
Proper and timely watering will ensure the health of the plant, its development and flowering. The timing and volume of watering of an orchid growing in a pot is influenced by the stage of its development: at the stage of flowering, active leaf growth and reproduction, the plant’s water needs are different.
Principles of proper irrigation
Often those who grow orchids at home are sure that they need abundant watering and irrigation. Although this plant is native to the tropics, excessive moisture is detrimental to it. The frequency and method of watering, the stage of plant development and water quality are important.
What water to water an orchid
The water temperature should not be lower than +18°C, the optimum is +30...35°C. In simple tap water contains impurities harmful to house plants: residual chlorine and mineral salts. To make it suitable for watering orchids, it is left to stand for 3-4 days.
For additional softening tap water can be mixed with distilled water in a ratio of 1:2 or 1:1 if the tap water is of medium hardness. Pure distillate is not suitable for irrigation.
It is even better to use softened, boiled, rain, purified or melt water.
But rainwater is suitable for irrigation only if it was collected outside the metropolis, because, passing through the air, it adsorbs toxic gases, heavy metals and others harmful substances. Collected outside the city rainwater stored in a cool place dark place(cellar, refrigerator) so that microorganisms do not develop in it.
Boiling softens tap water. This is the simplest and affordable way preparing water for irrigation.
If an additional fine filter is installed in the house, which frees tap water from microorganisms, salts, chlorine and other impurities, it does not need to be boiled or allowed to settle before use.
Supplements
To improve the quality of water, substances such as garlic juice, potassium permanganate, succinic acid.
- Watering orchids garlic water carried out to stimulate flowering. In addition, garlic, due to its antiseptic properties, disinfects the soil. To prepare the product, squeeze out 6 medium cloves of garlic into 0.5 liters of settled water, close the container tightly and leave to infuse for a day. The finished infusion is filtered and diluted in a bucket of warm, settled water into which the flower will be immersed. The infusion can be used 2-3 times a month, except for periods of dormancy and flowering. 2 weeks after stimulation, a new peduncle should appear.
- Watering orchids with succinic acid is carried out in order to accelerate the rooting of shoots, stimulate flowering, increase the resistance and adaptogenicity of the plant to changes in conditions environment. A solution of succinic acid is used to resuscitate plants damaged by temperature changes or other stressful situations. It is best to use the product during periods of intensive growth (spring and summer), but not in winter, when the plant is dormant.
- Succinic acid can also be added to the garlic solution. To prepare the product, the easiest way is to buy succinic acid in tablets at a pharmacy. In 1 l hot water dilute 1 tablet of acid. The prepared solution can be stored for no more than 3 days. Use it like garlic solution.
- The roots are washed with a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate during transplantation or during plant illness for disinfection. The product is in some way a source of potassium.
Before watering, it is important to enrich the water with oxygen. To do this, it is poured from container to container.
How often to water
It is impossible to determine exactly how many times a week you need to irrigate orchids. Watering this plant strictly according to the calendar is fundamentally wrong. The frequency with which orchids should be watered is influenced by the condition of the plant, the stage of its development and the condition of the substrate and roots. this segment time.
The flower cannot be in conditions high humidity constantly. This leads to root rot and the appearance of other diseases. To determine that it’s time to water your orchid, you need to take into account the following signs:
- The substrate is dry. It is easiest to assess its condition in a transparent pot. If there are no condensate drops on its walls, and the substrate light color, the plant can be watered. To keep the bark particles, which are often used as a filler for orchids, moistened, it is best to immerse the flower pot in a container of settled or boiled water.
- The roots became light and acquired a silvery tint. Well-moistened roots have a bright green color. As they dry, they lighten in color. When all the roots turn silver, the flower can be watered.
- If the pot is opaque, you can consider its weight. After drying, the pot with the substrate becomes significantly lighter. You can make sure that the flower needs moisture by sticking a wooden stick into the pot. If it remains dry, it is time to water the plant.
Proper watering of a phalaenopsis orchid also depends on the condition of the plant. At rest, it needs moisture less often - once every 2-3 weeks, during the period of active growth of green mass and flowering - more often, 1-2 times a week. In the hot season, the flower is watered more often because the substrate dries out faster.
After purchasing in store
First of all, after purchasing, you need to make sure that the pot has enough drainage holes. If this is not the case, they can be done using a hot nail. For the first time, the flower is watered only 7-10 days after settling in a new place.
Since the phalaenopsis orchid tolerates drying out more easily than waterlogging, such exposure allows both the substrate and the roots of the plant to dry out well. The air humidity in the room should be within 75%.
In the store, flowers are watered with water that has been softened and disinfected with special means, so an orchid may react negatively to a simple tap water.
During the flowering period
Irrigation of orchids at home during flowering should be done more often. Although the condition of the roots and substrate still matters, the plant will have to be watered 2-3 times a week, as during this period it prefers moist soil.
In summer, in a room with a humidity of 75-80% and sufficient light, you need to water the phalaenopsis orchid every 5-7 days, in winter, when there is not enough light, every 7-12 days.
At the same time, excessive watering can lead to the death of buds. Therefore, despite increasing the frequency of watering, you should not use the immersion method every time. If the substrate is still wet, simply moisten it a little from above. Once a week, potassium-phosphorus fertilizer can be added to the water for irrigation.
in winter
In winter, like most indoor plants, orchids enter a state of dormancy. Metabolic processes in cells slow down, needs are reduced, so it is not necessary to water the flower more than once every 2 weeks.
You should understand: the orchid needs to be watered if it needs water. How to do this in winter - the same methods are used here as described above. But due to the fact that the roots of the plant absorb moisture more slowly in winter, it is better to use the immersion method during this period. It is important to let the water drain well from the roots before returning the flower to the windowsill. In winter, this place is always colder, so the plant should be protected from temperature shock due to temperature changes.
It is best to water the plant with a shower in winter in the evening. The flower should be left in the bathroom overnight to allow the water to drain well. This will help prevent rotting and mold development in the pot.
In spring, the plant wakes up, cell metabolism accelerates, and the need for moisture increases. Therefore, with the onset of warmth, watering becomes more frequent.
After transplant
During the transplantation process, the roots of the plant are washed in a light solution of potassium permanganate. Since this entire process is stressful for the plant, it will need several days of rest. You should not water the orchid abundantly immediately after replanting. It is enough to put the pot in water for 20-30 minutes.
It is best to postpone the first full watering for 14 days. If the substrate is too dry, it is enough to irrigate it with a spray bottle. The first watering after transplantation is best done using a tray or an individual flower pot.
Feeding the orchid after transplantation is done during the first moistening of the soil; It will be possible to repeat the application of fertilizers only after 21 days.
How to water an orchid at home 4 main methods
Let's look at the most popular and effective ways glaze indoor orchids step by step in the photo.
Sprinkling showers
It is convenient to water a phalaenopsis orchid at home using simple shower. The water temperature can be quite high: up to +40°C. For watering, the temperature is checked on the elbow - the water should be tolerable.
Watering with warm water from the shower imitates tropical rain, which orchids cannot help but like. With its help, the leaves are cleaned of dust, and the roots are cleaned of possible pests. After the shower, the flowers are left in the bathroom so that they can steam under the conditions high humidity both temperature and glass excess liquid. The growing point of the leaf axil should be dried with a dry cloth.
Once a month in the warm season, it is recommended to give orchids a hot shower. This procedure helps to remove the plant from a stressful situation, is a good stimulation for the formation of new roots and flower stalks, and prevents the appearance of spider mite. The water temperature should not be higher than +52°C.
As a result of such bathing, a large absorption of moisture occurs by the leaves and roots of the flower, which stimulates the formation of new cells and metabolism in plant tissues. The procedure is carried out as follows: water the flower with warm water, leave for 30 minutes, and then completely irrigate for 30 seconds hot water. Hot showers are used only for stimulation healthy plants, because Patients may die from such a procedure.
Dive
Watering orchids using the immersion method allows not only to qualitatively moisten the substrate. This best method for feeding the plant and treating its roots with various stimulants and antiseptics.
Humidification by immersion is carried out as follows: a flower in a pot is placed in a container into which warm, prepared water is poured. It is important that the neck of the plant remains above the water. The orchid can be left in this position for 15 minutes or more.
If you keep plants in water, swelling will form on the leaves; affected sheet plates will have to be deleted. After the allotted time has elapsed, the plants are removed from the container, the excess water is allowed to completely drain, and then placed in their usual place.
For watering using the immersion method, you can use any container, including a flower pot - an orchid pot without holes with a concave bottom. There should be more pots flower pot. To water, the pots are completely filled with water and drained after the required time. High bottom allows for drainage excess moisture, which will need to be drained.
Watering with a watering can
Orchids do not tolerate watering from above. This is due to moisture getting into the rosette and leaf axils, which, in turn, leads to rotting. Therefore, for top watering you need to use a watering can with a long narrow spout, which allows you to evenly moisten the substrate under the leaves.
Slowly water the soil until water appears in the tray. Its remains can be left in it. Moisture trapped in the leaf axils and growing point is removed with napkins or a cotton pad. This method is not suitable if a large number of the roots are in a free state - due to insufficient moisture they will dry out.
Spraying
Spray the orchids from a spray bottle with distilled water. It does not leave streaks on the leaves. At the same time, moisture should not be allowed to get on the flowers and buds, or to stagnate in the axils of the leaves and in the rosette. When spraying, the jet is directed either from bottom to top or perpendicular to the trunk.
A wet plant needs to be shaded - drops of water will serve as lenses, which will lead to the appearance sunburn on sheets of paper.
In winter, irrigation is carried out in rooms where, due to the operation of the heating system, the air is dry and the temperature rises to +25°C. If the room is cool, it is better to avoid spraying.
The procedure is carried out in the morning so that by evening the leaves are already dry. In summer, you can irrigate twice a day if necessary.
Watering with fertilizers
In order for orchids to always bloom, they need to be fertilized regularly and correctly. Fertilizing is carried out only during the period of active growth and flowering; in winter the plant does not need it. Sick and weakened flowers cannot be fertilized.
In early spring, when the flower grows green mass, it especially needs nitrogen, and when buds are formed and flowering, it needs potassium and phosphorus. Fertilizing is always combined with watering the plant so as not to burn the dry roots.
Root fertilizer is applied as follows. First, the flower is watered using the immersion method to evenly moisten the roots. Then, according to the instructions, the fertilizer is diluted in clean, prepared water and the orchid is placed in it for 20 minutes. It is important to allow excess solution to completely drain from the pot.
For foliar feeding use special means in the form of a spray. In cloudy weather or in the evening, in a room without drafts and at a temperature not lower than room temperature, fertilizer is sprayed onto the leaves on both sides and visible roots. Fertilizer should not accumulate in the axils and rosettes or get on the peduncle.
Watering orchids at home - important condition successful cultivation orchids. Those who have just become interested in orchids face many questions: what water to use for watering orchids; how often to water orchids, how to properly water terrestrial or epiphytic orchids? Let's try to answer these questions.
Water for watering orchids
In areas where natural water very soft, such a question is not worth it at all. This water can be used straight from the tap. And where the water is very hard (there is a lot of lime, a lot of scale is formed when boiling), then such water cannot be used for watering orchids from the tap. Water can be filtered using drinking filters Barrier type.
Most best option- water orchids in summer - with rainwater, in winter - with melted snow.
This option is also not acceptable to everyone, so you can use boiled water to water the orchids. Boil water to reduce hardness. Then this boiled water is poured into an enamel or glass container, where it settles for another day. After this, only 2/3 of the volume of settled boiled water is used to water the orchids, the rest of the water is drained. The water temperature for watering orchids should be room temperature or slightly warmer, 2-5 0 C above room temperature. Just before watering, to saturate the water with air (oxygen), pour it in a thin stream from one container to another.
If you have an aquarium at home, use aquarium water to water your orchids. This water has already been settled, saturated with nitrogen and air. It is very suitable for orchids. The same soft water is suitable for others indoor plants, for example, selaginella.
Another one important detail: Each orchid requires its own specific water pH. Based on the name of the orchid, ask which one it is (acidic, neutral, alkaline). If within 5 pH (slightly acidified), then you can use lemon juice, a drop of vinegar, flower shops There is oxalic acid specifically for these purposes. So, we sorted out the water.
How to water orchids correctly
Now you need to know that watering ground orchids planted in pots in the ground differs from watering epiphytic orchids planted on blocks or in baskets.
If an orchid is planted in the ground, then you must always remember that in the center of the pot the substrate dries out much more slowly than at the edges of the pot. Therefore, the entire pot with such an orchid should be spilled no more than once a week. The rest of the time it is enough to water only along the edge of the pot.
Orchids planted in baskets or on blocks are watered abundantly, as the water drains very quickly, or the blocks and baskets with orchids are immersed in a container of water for several minutes, after which the excess moisture is allowed to drain. With this type of watering, there are no dry areas inside the block or basket.
Orchids grown without substrate in glass vases Water it like this: pour water into the vase for a few minutes up to the base of the orchid, so that only the roots are completely submerged. After this, the water is completely drained. It is recommended to do such watering in summer, during warm times, once every three days; in winter, when the room is cooler, it is enough to water once every 5-7 days. Under no circumstances should water after watering remain at the bottom of the vase, otherwise this will lead to the appearance of rot and the gradual death of the orchid roots.
Some gardeners practice watering orchids using a warm shower. Modern shower cabins have a “tropical rain” function, probably specifically for watering orchids.
Orchids are placed under warm shower just enough so that the substrate is completely wetted, after which the water is allowed to drain. It is believed that such watering is as close as possible to natural conditions orchids, cleans leaves well of dust, which in turn is a preventive measure against pests. After watering with a shower, orchids grow leaves faster.
But do not forget that indoor orchids are still much weaker than their wild-growing sisters, so after watering with a shower, do not forget to dry all the axils of the leaves, the core of the orchid rosette, otherwise this will lead to rotting. After such watering, white stains from hard water may remain. Wipe all orchid leaves with a tissue. It is still better not to expose blooming orchids to the shower; the flowers may lose their decorative effect (from stains). Such watering is contraindicated for phalaenopsis.
1. For epiphytic orchids, excess moisture is more dangerous than its lack. Remember that in such orchids the roots need an influx fresh air. Epiphytic orchids can easily tolerate short delays in watering. Don’t look at the roots looking dry from above; there is a lot of moisture inside them. But too long intervals between waterings entail a slowdown in the growth of the orchid, premature flowering (short-term), or vice versa, there will be no flowering.
2.If you have just started growing orchids, then use a less moisture-intensive substrate. When you become more experienced and understand your orchids at a glance, then you can use more moisture-intensive substrates, which will undoubtedly make caring for orchids easier.
How often to water orchids
Advice from experienced amateur gardeners: Do you doubt the need for watering? Then wait one day, then water.
Frequency of watering orchids depends on the type of orchid, on the air temperature, on the substrate, on the illumination, on the physiological state of the orchid (growth period, dormant period). The frequency of watering directly depends on room conditions. For some people the room is cool, for others the air temperature is higher, and this makes the humidity less. Therefore, everyone will have to choose their own timing for watering orchids, acceptable only to you. We can only give some recommendations. Watering each orchid in specific place is selected individually.
Epiphytic orchids planted on blocks require periodic humidification of both the block and the air around the orchid. Remember the tropics, where orchids grow naturally on trees. No soil at all. In the tropics there are short-term tropical showers. This moisture is enough for epiphytic orchids to fully grow and bloom. They collect water with aerial roots from humid air. Orchids that require a constantly waterlogged substrate include Phragmipedium. Orchids that require a constantly moist substrate include Vanda, Paphiopedilum, Phalaenopsis, Cymbidium, Miltoniopsis, Vuylstekeara.
Watering such orchids is only slightly reduced in winter if the room temperature is low.
When the ambient temperature drops, the absorption capacity of orchid roots sharply decreases and excess water, especially cold water, can lead to the death of the roots. The same can be said when the illumination of the room decreases.
Orchids that require abundant watering from spring to autumn and moderate watering in winter include Epidendrum and Ludisia.
If there is a significant decrease in temperature or light, it is recommended that all orchids reduce watering rates. And vice versa, the higher the ambient temperature and room illumination, the shorter the intervals between waterings.
Orchids that are in the resting phase need to be watered carefully, since their roots are not able to absorb large amounts of moisture. In addition to epiphytes, their roots need to be moistened even during the dormant period. And they are watered exactly as much as necessary so that the pseudobulbs do not wrinkle. Epiphytic orchids include Encyclia, Cattleya, Coelogyne, and Brassia.
Orchids at the very beginning of shoot growth require less watering than during the period of their active growth. Orchids that grow intensively need to be watered abundantly; when the next growth matures, watering is gradually reduced, transferring the orchid to a dormant period.
Another way to control the humidity of the substrate: compare the weight of pots with dry and wet substrate (if there is something to compare with).
If the orchid is terrestrial, growing in a substrate, among other things, consider the composition of the substrate: light or more moisture-intensive. The bark-based substrate gradually accumulates moisture, so excess water can also lead to rotting of the roots. And don’t look at the fact that the substrate is dry on top, it can even be very wet inside.
In between watering orchids, you can use spraying. Spraying the space around orchids increases air humidity. However, at low temperatures and high air humidity there is a great risk of rotting roots or pseudobulbs. To avoid this trouble, it is better to spray orchids in the first half of the day, so delicate orchids We were able to dry until evening.
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Inexperienced flower growers sometimes encounter this problem - the flowers and buds of the orchid wither and fall off, or the peduncle simply stops growing. To prevent this from happening, you need to know how to water an orchid during flowering.
Watering orchids during flowering is even more important than during other periods of their life. It takes a lot of effort to form and bloom flowers, and this food exotic flower It receives only from water and air, and not from fertile soil, like the plants of our latitudes. Experts advise watering orchids at home when the substrate is completely dry and the roots turn white.
How often you will have to water depends on many reasons - air temperature, humidity level, degree of light, and the period of life of the plant. In addition, the rate of moisture absorption and assimilation by the plant differs among different varieties. There is no exact schedule; an attentive owner will determine it himself while caring for his pet. If this usually happens 1-2 times a week, then you will have to water the blooming orchid more often, maybe 3-4 times. Fertilizing plants with mineral fertilizers is usually combined with watering.
A warm shower is fine if the water coming from the tap is quite soft or if a watering can is used. The pot is placed in the bath, watered, bypassing the flowers, with water at a temperature of up to +40 degrees, then left until excess water will not drain from the pot. The axils of the leaves need to be blotted with a napkin, and the flower can be returned to its place only when the humidity and air temperature in the bathroom are equal to the conditions of the room.
Caring for Phalaenopsis during flowering room conditions involves all these types of watering, the main thing is that the water does not fall on the flowers and does not remain in the axils of the leaves.
Flowers growing on blocks are soaked by immersing the entire plant in water except the flowers themselves. After 15 minutes, remove the plant, shake it lightly, and blot the leaf axils. Hanging varieties are watered by immersing their roots in warm water for 15–20 minutes.
Spraying an orchid
When Phalaenopsis blooms, it can be sprayed to increase air humidity. If it is better to water in the morning, then spraying is usually done in the afternoon. Water should also be used only clean, soft and warm, a couple of degrees warmer than the air. A sufficient level of humidity must be maintained around a blooming orchid; if the substrate does not dry out and the leaves are wet all the time, the flowering time will be sharply reduced - after all, orchids do not bloom in the tropics during the rainy season. Spraying should simply maintain the desired level of moisture in the air. Care must be reasonable.
It is better to use a fine spray nozzle, direct the water onto or around the leaves; moisture getting on the flowers contributes to their destruction.
What are the dangers of improper watering?
The orchid loves moisture, especially during the flowering period, but overmoistening the substrate can lead to rotting of the roots. If you water the plant while droplets of condensation are still collecting on the walls of the transparent pot, the substrate will become compacted, its ingredients will begin to rot, and this will lead to a deterioration in the condition of the roots, and therefore the entire plant. This should not be allowed, because the orchid will stop blooming and may even die if the moment of replanting, which is possible for salvation, is missed.
To insure against rotting of the substrate, it is recommended to sometimes water the plants with water with a small amount of potassium permanganate. But it is better to carefully check the condition of the substrate before each watering, its upper layer It dries out quickly enough, but at the bottom of the pot it may still remain wet, in which case it is better to wait until watering.
You can determine the time of watering by looking at the flower itself by looking at its roots. The time to moisten is when both the soil and the rhizome of the plant are completely dry. In the sunny summer season it takes a couple of days to dry. In cloudy, rainy weather, the substrate takes much longer to dry. And in the cold season the process is even more delayed. However, if we take the average option, it is recommended to carry out watering according to the following scheme:
- summer period - every 2-3 days.
- autumn and spring months - once a week.
- in winter - once every 2 weeks.
Phalaenopsis roots
Phalaenopsis does not tolerate excessive moisture, and therefore excessive frequent and intense watering can cause significant harm to the plant. As for the time of day, it is recommended to start this activity in the morning, so that the orchid has time to dry before sunset. This is explained biological features This plant prefers to absorb moisture from the substrate during daylight hours.
The phalaenopsis orchid itself will tell the attentive and observant owner about the optimal time for its hydration. So, if the rhizome of the plant has taken on a bluish or grayish tint, it means the flower needs watering. But if there is condensation on the walls of the pot in which the orchid grows, then the substrate still retains a sufficient amount of moisture and there is absolutely no need for additional moisture. You need to watch the flower especially carefully when the flowering period has begun. You need more strength, so drying out is easy to miss. Even the slightest violation optimal conditions moisture during flowering threatens its cessation.
The rhizome of the plant is grayish in color
Another way to check the degree of dryness of the soil is to measure the weight of the pot. Moreover, in this case you will not need scales. Just lift the orchid pot immediately after watering and try to remember the degree of its severity. Repeat the manipulation after several days. If you feel that the pot has become significantly lighter, then it is time to water your pet. Of course, the method is very rough, and you should not rely on it, for example, during flowering. At this time you need to be more careful.
To catch the first manifestations of drying out during the flowering period, you can use the following technique using an ordinary wooden stick. To do this, simply stick it into the ground, then take it out and see how dry it is. If traces of wet substrate are noticeable on the stick, it means it is better to hold off on watering. Well, the easiest way is to dig up the surface of the earth a little and check the degree of its moisture with your finger.
Humidification with hard chlorinated tap water can be detrimental to phalaenopsis. Therefore, it is recommended to use boiled or distilled water. If time allows, you can also use ordinary running water, allowing it to first settle for 24 hours. You can also improve the quality of the liquid by adding oxalic acid to it in a ratio of 1:10.
Hydrating an orchid with distilled water
Water for watering phalaenopsis should be slightly higher room temperature. Application cold water is strictly contraindicated, since it has an extremely unfavorable effect on the appearance and condition of the plant.
There are several methods for moisturizing phalaenopsis. The first method is to directly water the planting soil. To do this, it is best to use a small watering can, thanks to which you can direct a thin stream of water and distribute it evenly over the surface, where. After a couple of minutes, when excess liquid seeps through the holes into special trays, drain them and repeat the procedure.
The next method of watering an orchid is done using a shower. To do this, wrap the substrate with plastic wrap, place the container with the flower in the bath and bathe your beautiful orchid by directing a gentle stream of warm water at it. Allow excess moisture to drain and gently wipe the leaves of the plant with a cloth or paper. After this, leave the phalaenopsis in the bathroom for half an hour to avoid temperature changes. It should be noted that it is recommended to arrange a shower for orchids no more than once a month, and in winter, when the plants are at rest, it is better to abstain from this altogether.
Some lovers of indoor orchids prefer next method watering them, which is correctly called the total immersion method. In this case, you need to fill a fairly deep container with warm water, and then lower the pot of phalaenopsis into it. The time is about 15 minutes, and in winter - no more than 5 minutes. Then the plants are removed and placed on a special tray to allow excess moisture to drain freely.