How to water orchids without rotting the roots: keep them full of flowers

Those who love orchids know how difficult they are to keep alive. Once brought home, orchids usually begin to lose their flowers first, then rot.

If this has happened to you, know that it is likely that it was the type of watering that decided the fate of your orchid. Proper watering is key to making an orchid last for years.

Orchids, like all plants, need the right balance between air, light and water in order to grow and bloom properly. Incorrect watering is one of the main factors for plants to die.

Although there is no magic formula for watering orchids, there are some precautions to follow to avoid rotting their roots. For example, many times the substrate seems dry on the surface, when it still retains a lot of moisture inside, and watering contributes to rotting the plant.

Before watering, it is good to weigh the container: a dry substrate will be much lighter.

Insert a wooden stick into the substrate, if it remains dry it means that it is time to water your orchid.

Another factor to take into account is that the roots of orchids are wrapped in a thin membrane, which quickly absorbs large amounts of water. When the membrane is dry it turns white, when it is damp it turns green.

1. Water your orchid by dipping

The fact that it is a tropical plant does not mean that the orchid needs a lot of water. Excess moisture can cause the plant to rot or make it vulnerable to fungus.

To water your orchid you can use the soaking method. Soak the pot in water for 20 minutes, avoiding wetting the leaves. Next, let all the excess water drain off before putting your orchid back in its place.

2. Water the orchid using the ice cube method

If you don’t have time to apply the diving method, you will definitely enjoy this technique.

Place a few ice cubes on the orchid substrate and wait for them to melt completely.

This method allows a gradual penetration of water, thus preventing the orchid from rotting.

Now that you know how to water orchids properly, apply the methods outlined above to make your plants last much longer.

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Important: This website does not give medical advice, nor does it suggest the use of techniques as a form of treatment for physical problems, for which medical advice is required. If you decide to apply the information contained in this site, you do not assume responsibility for it. The intention of the site is to be illustrative, not exhortative or didactic.