What water should be used to water orchids? These six kinds of water have great nourishing effects

Water is the source of life, and learning to water is the key to growing orchids well. It can be said that once you have mastered watering, you are halfway to success in orchid growing. The commonly used water-supply methods are pouring, spraying, and soaking the pot, and here the author summarizes some special water-supply methods in orchid growing into the following six kinds:

1. Disinfectant water. A sterilizing and disinfecting solution prepared from one or two or three commonly used fungicides such as thiophanate-methyl, carbendazim, agricultural streptomycin, and potassium permanganate, used to soak orchid roots and pseudobulbs. The concentration follows the product instructions, generally 800 to 1500 times, and the soaking time is generally 20 to 30 minutes. Adding an appropriate amount of vinegar can enhance penetration. Soaking orchid roots in disinfectant solution is the first line of defense against orchid diseases. Except for vigorous established plants already growing well in the collection, the wild-collected plants the author gathers, gifts from orchid friends, and introduced varieties must all be disinfected before the author feels at ease potting them. The author's first-choice fungicide is potassium permanganate (generally available in pharmacies), which has extremely strong penetration and combines medicinal and fertilizing effects. For disinfecting diseased plants, treatment must be differentiated and medication chosen according to the symptoms. If bacterial diseases such as soft rot are present, then agricultural streptomycin is added to the potassium permanganate; if fungal diseases such as stem rot are present, then fungal agents such as thiophanate-methyl or carbendazim are added; orchid plants with ordinary diseases are still disinfected with potassium permanganate.

2. Immortal water. A nutrient solution prepared with plant growth hormones such as American-made root-promoting agent, commonly known as "immortal water." Immortal water is generally used to soak orchid roots before potting, with the purpose of promoting rooting, stimulating new shoots, and helping grow strong plants. It is especially effective when used for reviving old pseudobulbs. The main drug commonly used to prepare rooting promoters is American-made root-promoting agent (3000 times solution). In addition, Aitongshou, Guoguang Orchid Nutrient Solution, Landoctor (orchid organic essence nutrient solution), Lanjunwang, Gaocui, and vitamin B12 are also commonly used fertilizers for preparing immortal water. It should be noted that the dilution ratio must strictly follow the instructions of the fertilizer or drug used to prevent mistakes.

3. Root-setting water. The first watering given to newly planted and potted orchids, also called "root-falling water" or "first water." The root-setting water for newly planted orchids must be thorough; some orchid friends also use the pot-soaking method to give root-setting water, which is also acceptable. However, the timing of root-setting water must be viewed dialectically. If the orchid plant is healthy, the roots have already dried when potted, and the wounds have been disinfected, then it should be watered immediately after planting; for some weak plants and diseased plants, especially orchid plants with rotted roots, it is not suitable to water after planting. Instead, one should rely on configuring moist growing medium to supply water, place them in a ventilated and shaded place, and water after a few days so that the wounds can heal and recover.

4. Thorough water. After the growing medium in the pot has dried completely, water the medium thoroughly so that the potting soil is completely soaked; this is thorough watering. There is an orchid saying: water thoroughly when dry. This is the principle of watering in orchid growing. Thorough watering not only supplements the orchid's water needs, but also regulates the air in the potting soil, increases the oxygen content of the medium, and makes orchid root respiration smoother. In the hot and warm summer and autumn seasons, driven by transpiration, the water demand of orchid plants relatively increases, so thorough watering must be done frequently to maintain the water-holding capacity of the potting soil and prevent it from becoming too dry. It is worth noting that completely dry medium must not be given "half water," otherwise, because the amount of water is insufficient, the hot air at the pot surface is brought into the pot, which will suffocate the orchid roots, and the water that did not soak through becomes "half-sick water."

5. Pot-surface water. In seasons when the temperature is not very high, the potting soil dries more slowly, and often the pot surface has dried while the inside of the pot still has relatively high humidity. In this case, using a spray bottle to moisten the dried medium at the pot surface is called moistening the pot surface. After moistening the top three to five cm of medium at the pot surface, it can moisten the orchid pseudobulbs, balance the humidity of the medium, and increase the overall humidity of the orchid garden.

6. Revival water. After fertilizing or applying medication, clear water is poured or sprayed at a certain interval to eliminate fertilizer or pesticide residue, so that orchid roots and plants do not suffer fertilizer burn or pesticide damage. This kind of water is called "revival water," also called "return water." Fertilizing is best done when the potting soil is on the dry side for better results, and fertilizing in the evening; after the orchid absorbs it overnight, water once with clear water the next morning, like a cup of tea after a meal, refreshing and soothing. If the potting soil is on the wet side, watering "revival water" after fertilizing will be counterproductive and risks root rot. As for whether to water revival water after applying medication, it depends on the situation. The author's habit is: if spraying insecticide, then spray or pour clear water two hours after application; if spraying fungicide, then do not spray clear water again. This is because insecticides act quickly, while fungicides maintain their efficacy for a longer time, sometimes up to a week or even about 10 days. If "revival water" is sprayed after fungicide treatment, it will offset the efficacy.