How to water orchids in the hot summer? (Part 2)

How to water in the hot summerorchids(Part 2) 1. Watering orchid plants must be based on natural factors
When watering orchid plants, you must base it on the various natural factors that affect the transpiration of the orchid plant, such as humidity, temperature, light, wind, season, and weather, so as to adopt different water management measures.
First, look at humidity. If the humidity in the air is low and transpiration is strong, you should water more; conversely, if the humidity in the air is high or even saturated and transpiration almost stops, you should water less or even not water at all.
Second, look at temperature. When the temperature is high, transpiration speeds up, the water requirement is large, and the watering frequency should also increase accordingly; conversely, when the temperature is low, water molecules move slowly and diffusion is weak, so the water requirement is small.
Third, look at light. When light is strong, transpiration speeds up and the diffusion of water molecules accelerates, so the water requirement is greater; conversely, the water requirement is smaller. Therefore, when light differs and the degree of shading differs, water management also differs: water more those exposed to the sun, and water less those facing away from the sun.
Fourth, look at wind. When the wind is strong, water evaporates quickly; when the wind is weak, water evaporates slowly. A dry southwest wind will strengthen evaporation; on the contrary, a humid southeast wind will cause transpiration to weaken relatively. Orchid pots placed in a drafty spot receive more wind and their water evaporates quickly, while orchid pots in a sheltered spot receive less wind and their water evaporates slowly.
Fifth, look at the season. Different seasons have different temperatures, humidity, and light, and the transpiration of orchid plants also differs greatly. In the hot and dry summer climate, water more; in the plum rain season, water less or not at all; in the low-temperature, cold, overcast winter, do not water; in early spring when the temperature is relatively low, water less; in late spring when the climate is mild and it is exactly the sprouting period, water more; in the dry autumn, water more.
Sixth, look at the weather. Weather in nature is ever-changing, and different weather has different light, temperature, and humidity, while the transpiration of orchid plants also varies greatly. The basic approach is: water more on sunny days, water less on cloudy days, do not water much when rain is imminent, and do not water on rainy (or snowy) days.
Accordingly, it is very difficult to have an accurate and unified management method for watering orchid plants. The so-called saying of “watering once every few days” lacks a scientific basis.
2. Watering orchid plants must be based on the condition of the orchids
When watering orchids, the general principle is “do not water if not dry, and when watering, water thoroughly.” However, in daily management the situations are complex, and you must, according to the orchidorchid'sspecific circumstances, analyze and deal with each case specifically.
First, it should be based on the growth season of the orchid. Orchids should be watered more during the growth period or the bud pregnancy period, watered less or not at all during the dormant period, watered more during the sprouting period, and watered less after sprouting; water more when flower buds appear, water less during the flowering period to prolong the flowering period, and after the flowers fade, stop watering for several days to let them rest and then water again.
Second, it should be based on the growth condition of the orchid. Water more those orchids growing vigorously, water less those with poorer growth, do not water diseased plants, water less or not at all orchids that need rescue, water more when there are many plants in the pot, and water less when there are few.
Third, it should be based on thecultivationmoisture retention of the substrate. A substrate with fine particles and strong water retention consumes water slowly (such as mountain soil and wood shavings, etc.), so the watering frequency should be reduced; conversely, a substrate with coarser particles and weak water retention (such as Satsuma soil) requires an increased watering frequency.
Fourth, look at the texture and size of the pot. Clay pots with strong air permeability should be watered more, while purple clay pots and plastic pots with poor air permeability should be watered less. Small pots dry easily, large pots dry with difficulty, and the watering frequency also differs.
In general, watering orchids must be handled according to specific circumstances and must not be simplified in a uniform way.
3. The time for watering orchid plants
There is also a certain scientific basis in the timing of watering orchid plants. Generally speaking, watering in the morning is better. Generally speaking, when orchids are outdoors in late spring and summer-autumn, it is advisable to water in the morning: first, after a night of cooling, the temperature of the planting material in the pot is lower in the morning, and watering at this time will not harm the seedlings; second, if watered thoroughly in the morning, it will turn moist by evening, and at night the empty pot has no stagnant water, the air in the pot circulates, which is beneficial to the orchid roots' respiration and circulation and beneficial to orchid growth. Third, if watered in the evening, water evaporates slowly at night and easily causes stagnant water, while during the day when transpiration is fast the pot has already turned moist, creating the situation of “stagnant water in the pot when it should be dry, and lack of water in the pot when it should be moist”; fourth, in the evening the temperature of the orchid pot is still high, and suddenly watering with cold water causes a sudden temperature drop, which will affect root water absorption and disturb the physiological balance; fifth, at night the temperature is low, the cell activity of the orchid plant is weak, and excessive water will cause bacteria to multiply and will also breed snails and slugs. But in winter and earlyspring orchidflowers are indoors, the watering time should be appropriately postponed, and it is better to water around nine o'clock after the morning temperature rises or at noon.
Regarding the timing of watering, the principle to grasp overall is: watering orchids in the morning is better; when the temperature is high, water a little earlier, and when the temperature is low, water a little later.