Ensuring proper watering of an orchid at home is not as easy as it might seem at first glance. In nature, this flower grows in the humid forests of Southeast Asia, Australia and the Philippines, where warm tropical rains remain the main source of moisture. Therefore, watering a flower should be as close as possible to the natural process of moisturizing, which takes place in its usual habitat. It is not at all easy to do this in a city apartment.
What water to water an orchid?
To water the orchid, you need to use warm and soft water, which has been previously enriched with oxygen. Oxalic acid or special preparations, which are sold in any flower shop, can help reduce the hardness of tap water. To saturate a liquid with oxygen, it must be poured several times from one container to another. Moreover, it should stay in the air as long as possible. This can be done by raising the glass high above the bowl into which the water is poured.
How often to water an orchid in winter?
Watering an orchid in winter is much less frequent than during flowering. Depending on the air humidity and the average daily temperature, humidification should be carried out two to three times a month. It is impossible to allow both stagnation of moisture and excessive drying of the substrate.
How to tell when watering is required?
If the roots of the orchid have lightened, the container with the substrate has become too light, and the earth looks dry, then the orchid already needs moisture. For flowers growing in a transparent pot, there is another sign - condensation accumulated on the walls. If it's dry, it's time to water.
Do not wait for the leaves to lose their turgor and become lethargic. Very long breaks between watering are harmful to the plant even in winter.
How to properly water an orchid?
The best way to water your orchid is with a warm shower simulating tropical rain. To do this, a pot with a flower is placed in the bathroom or shower stall, after which the orchids are watered with a weak pressure of warm water. In this case, the watering can should be directed upward so that the falling water is saturated with oxygen and does not damage the plants.
The procedure continues until the substrate is completely impregnated, after which the flower pot is left for 25-30 minutes to leave excess moisture. After all the excess liquid has left, the plant can be returned to its original place. After another 20 minutes, the leaves should be gently blotted with a dry cloth to remove drops and smudges.
This method will only work if your tap water is soft enough. Otherwise, the liquid must be prepared separately and irrigated from a watering can.
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