Proper watering of orchids is the way to success

Only some a couple of decades ago, growing orchids at home seemed very difficult or even impossible. Today, orchids of various kinds can be found in any flower shop, they decorate many dwellings. As it turned out, orchids are not so capricious and feel good in our apartments. Care of these plants is not complicated, but has some features, the observance of which is guaranteed to bring success, and orchids will long please their blossoming bloom. Particularly important in the care of watering orchids, which is different from watering most houseplants.

Orchids belong to the group of plant epiphytes. Their peculiarity lies in the fact that they grow on other plants, mainly on trees and shrubs, using them as a support, but without being parasites. The root system of the epiphytes consists of a large number of air roots, with which plants absorb water and nutrients , like filter paper . The air roots of orchids need constant access to fresh air.

Ways of watering orchids

Excessive moisture for orchids is even more dangerous than its lack. To ensure the roots of the influx of air, orchids planted in a special loose substrate, consisting mainly of wood bark. When watering, water easily penetrates through the bark, but with excessive watering, the liquid accumulates in a pot or other container, which can cause rotting of the roots. Therefore, the usual method, which is suitable for indoor plants, is unacceptable for orchids. Water them with a thin stream of water along the edge of the pot, trying not to fall into the center of the plant where the growth point is located. After this, you need to drain all the water collected in the pan. If water has got on a growth point, it should be carefully removed with a napkin.

It is better to water the orchids by immersion. This method is especially good for orchids growing in baskets or pots. The basket with the plant is immersed in water for a couple of minutes, and then give the water to drain and return to the place.

Two or three times a month orchids can be arranged bathing, which is very good for their general condition, stimulate growth. You can bathe the plants under a warm shower. To ensure that the tap water does not reach the roots, the pot can be placed in a plastic bag. After taking a shower, the plants are left for a while in the bathroom to allow the glass to water and the leaves to dry. Such bathing replaces the watering of orchids and cleans the plant well from the accumulation of dust, microorganisms and pests.

Water required for irrigation

Watering the orchids should be done in the morning. To do this, use well-settled water at room temperature. These plants do not tolerate hard water, because in nature they use soft rain. Decrease in rigidity is achieved by boiling water followed by settling. Some use distilled water, but it does not contain any salts and watering the orchids with this water can only be done after adding a portion of the usual tap or by adding special fertilizers.

For orchids, it is very important that watering be regular, without prolonged arid periods. Of course, plants can withstand the lack of watering for several days, but this will inevitably affect the growth of plants.

It should be mentioned the intensity of irrigation in different phases of plant growth. During the whole time, watering should be approximately the same in intensity, with a frequency of once every two to three days. Several increase the watering of orchids during flowering, since the plant requires a large number of nutrients. Transplantation of orchids during flowering is undesirable and can only be carried out for some urgent indications. During the rest period, the plants are watered down to once a week.