The Secret To Successful Orchid Watering

There would appear to be a direct connection between the suggestion that most new growers of indoor orchids are unsure about how to water their plants correctly, and the reports that incorrect watering is one of the most common causes of unhealthy and dying orchids.

In order to fully explain the principles behind the watering methods recommended by expert orchid growers, it is necessary to review how orchids receive moisture in their natural habitat. For this purpose we will focus on the epiphytic group of orchids that forms the majority of the popular indoor orchid types.

Epiphytic Orchids Possess Two Significant Characteristics

Firstly, they mostly originate from tropical or sub-tropical regions in South America and South East Asia where the climate has the combination of warm to hot and humid air, with a regular pattern of rainfall.

Secondly, the orchid plants grow from trees, by anchoring their roots to the tree bark and, by using these aerial roots, to absorb the moisture and nutrients from the water located on the surface of the tree and from the surrounding humid air.

When Does An Orchid Need Water?

As well as collecting moisture and nutrients, the aerial roots serve as an indicator of the plant's water requirements. Under normal conditions, when the plant is receiving sufficient water, the colour of the aerial roots will range from light to dark green. If at any time the root system appears silvery grey or white then the plant is short of water.

An Orchid Should Not Be Over-Watered

Equally important to the orchid's well-being is the avoidance of over-watering. Between each watering, both the orchid's root surface and its potting medium should be allowed to dry out. Excessive watering will produce a soft and mushy appearance and feel to the roots and lower stem, which is sign of potential root rot.

When To Water?

As a general rule carry out any watering between the late morning and early afternoon when temperatures are at their highest. This will encourage moisture absorption on the part of the orchid and also enable any excess moisture to evaporate.

Orchids in their natural habitat are subjected to alternating periods of dry weather and heavy rain and have adapted to accommodate this variation.
The watering of indoor orchids should mirror this, with the recommended weekly intervals between watering being adjusted to twice weekly for increased temperature.

What Is The Best Water?

Although it is not always available, rain-water is recommended as being the best for watering indoor orchids as it contains the dissolved nutrients required to maintain a healthy plant. As an alternative, tap-water at room temperature is generally considered to be acceptable; however, it should be supplemented with applications of orchid fertiliser every two weeks.

Other Factors To Consider

The type of potting media will determine the frequency of watering. The generally preferred bark based potting mix which provides open drainage with limited moisture retention, will need more frequent watering than the denser sphagnum moss media which absorbs humidity.

Although this article outlines the general principles for watering orchids from the epiphytic group, it is important to research further any watering requirements that are specific to a particular orchid or orchid hybrid.

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