What are the precautions for watering orchids? Keep these points in mind

When watering, pay attention to the moisture level in the pot, which is divided into the dry method and the wet method. The standard is that the pot is dry but not parched, moist but not wet. If dry and parched, the roots will be hollow; if too wet, there will be excessive water and the roots will turn black. Watering when dry but not parched is the dry method, which will stimulate the orchid to produce leaf buds, roots, and flower buds. Watering when moist but not wet is the wet method, which will allow the already grown leaf buds, roots, and flower buds to have enough water to grow rapidly. This is also the alternation of dry and wet. After fully watering with plenty of water, let it sit for a period of time, and wait until there is no gravitational water flowing out of the bottom of the pot. At this time, that is to say, when the water retention rate is 100% (fully absorbed water), when the potting medium loses 10% of its water, the medium enters a moist but not wet state, and when the water loss exceeds 40%, it enters a parched state. At this time, it is the best time to water. In summer, orchids should be watered at night when it is cool and ventilated!

For beginners, in winter, water thoroughly once every 1-2 weeks; in other seasons, water thoroughly about once every 4 days. There is no fixed method for watering; it must be judged according to your own environment. Generally, when the pot surface is dry 1 cm down, you can water! If the pot dries quickly, watering frequently will make it grow well. If the pot does not dry for a long time, the seedlings are definitely not growing well!

To summarize a few key points: strong seedlings can be grown any way, fertilizing and exposing to sun are both fine, do not pamper them! The main thing is that weak seedlings and diseased seedlings need some attention in cultivation. For weak and diseased seedlings, the potting medium should be as light as possible, and do not fertilize within one year. Watering weak and diseased seedlings requires even more care, because weak and diseased seedlings have poor water absorption ability, and their metabolism is slow. Water only when dry. Generally, strong seedlings are watered twice for every one watering of weak ones!

First, pay attention to water temperature. In winter, do not water with cold water; the water temperature should be close to room temperature, with 8-10°C being ideal. In summer, do not water with hot water. If water is stored in a water tank, be careful to prevent excessively high water temperature from damaging the orchid plants and orchid roots. The water temperature must not exceed 25-28°C, and do not suddenly water with cold water, so as not to damage the orchid plants. In summer, absolutely do not water during the high-temperature period at noon. Generally, choose to water in the early morning and evening when the temperature is low, and choose to water on ventilated, sunny days.

Second, pay attention to humidity. If the air humidity is too high, reaching 90-100, absolutely do not water or mist. During the day, humidity around 70-90 is suitable. If humidity is too high, it will weaken the roots' ability to absorb water, affect the number of roots formed, and cause the orchid plants to lose their driving force.

Third, pay attention to protecting new buds. During the period when new buds are splitting open, it is advisable to water at the roots, and to sprinkle or spray water as little as possible; otherwise, water poured into the leaf center will cause waterlogging and rot, resulting in losses.

Fourth, pay attention not to give half watering. Some people mistakenly think that orchids cannot be watered much, so they do not dare to water, and often give half watering. Then the potting medium remains wet on top and dry below for a long time, causing the roots to dry out and wither due to lack of water.

Fifth, pay attention to watering less with standing water. If water is stored in a water tank and left standing too long, the water molecules become chain-like bodies. The longer the time, the harder they are to break apart, making it difficult for them to participate in metabolic activities, which is unfavorable for absorption by the orchid plants.

Sixth, pay attention to watering with "revival water." After fertilizing in the evening, the orchid plants absorb most of the nutrients effectively through one night. At this time, they need water the most, just as people need tea after a meal. Therefore, the next morning, "revival water" should be watered. It has two functions: first, to wash off the fertilizer liquid splashed on the leaves; second, to wash away residual fertilizer in the pot to prevent fertilizer damage.

Seventh, pay attention not to water too frequently. Orchids are very tolerant of water and are relatively drought-tolerant plants, so a little dryness has little effect. On the contrary, being wet is not acceptable. Waterlogging for 24 hours will cause suffocation. In daily cultivation, the vast majority of people love orchids too much and water too frequently, causing root rot and even plant death.

Eighth, pay attention to "acid rain." If using rainwater, there are two kinds of rainwater that cannot be used. First, acid rain must not be used to water orchids. So-called "acid rain" is formed when sulfides, fluorides, and other acidic substances suspended in the air fall with rainfall. This water absolutely must not be used to water orchids. Second, water from artificial rainfall cannot be used. Rain shells contain chemical substances, and these substances dissolve in rainwater. Using it to water orchids will also corrode orchid roots.

Ninth, pay attention not to spray water arbitrarily. "Spraying water" is necessary. In addition to supplementing water, it can also keep orchid leaves fresh and help orchid leaves breathe and carry out photosynthesis. However, water cannot be sprayed arbitrarily: do not spray under strong sunlight; do not spray in high-temperature weather; spray less when there is no wind and drying is difficult; do not spray water containing impurities; do not spray when humidity is too high on rainy days, and so on.