What harm does watering orchids with water that is too acidic or too alkaline do?

To groworchidswell, there is an easily overlooked issue, and that is the PH value of thewaternormally used to water orchids!

When some orchid growers find that their orchids are growing poorly or withering, they mostly look for the cause in fertilizer and water, ventilation and light,pests and diseasesand other aspects

, and often overlook the acidity and alkalinity of the water. According to relevant materials and the practical experience of orchid growers,

the PH of water used for orchids should preferably be 5.5~6.5. This is also a principle that orchid growers must follow.

1. What is PH value.

PH value is the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration in water. A PH value less than 7 is called acidic water, a PH value equal to 7 is called neutral

water, and a PH value greater than 7 is called alkaline water. The method for measuring PH is very simple, mainly A: litmus test paper and a color comparison

chart. B: a PH meter or pen.


2. The reasons for the harm of water that is too alkaline or too acidic:


Orchids are suitable for growing in slightly acidic soil (growing medium). That is, a PH value of 5.5~6.5 is preferable! Too acidic or too

alkaline isunfavorableto the growth of orchids, and in severe cases can even lead to the death of the orchid plant. So why does water that is too acidic or too alkaline

affect and harm orchids?

(1). Water that is too alkaline, that is, a PH value greater than 8, will produce the following adverse phenomena:

1: Water that is too alkaline will make the survival environment of the orchid fungi symbiotic with the orchid's fleshy roots harsh, reduce their reproduction, and the

balance between the orchid and the orchid fungi is destroyed. This leads to poor growth of the orchid.

2: Water that is too alkaline will reduce the availability of trace elements in the substrate such as copper, zinc, manganese, and iron, making it

difficult for the orchid's root system to absorb them. An orchid that cannot get trace element nourishment will suffer root growth disorders and is prone to dying.

3: Water that is too alkaline also easily causes ammonium nitrogen in the substrate to form ammonia gas and volatilize away, which not only makes fertilizing

useless, but also prevents the orchid roots from getting the nutrients they should have, resulting in poor growth.

4: Water that is too alkaline will easily cause a large amount of phosphorus in the substrate to combine with calcium, reducing the root system's absorption

of phosphorus. This causes the root system to be increasingly severely deficient in phosphorus and its growth to be hindered.

(2). Water that is too acidic, that is, a PH value less than 5, will produce the following adverse phenomena:

1: Water that is too acidic will increase the availability of trace elements in the substrate such as copper, zinc, manganese, and iron, causing

poisoning of the orchid's root system.

2: Water that is too acidic will turn the three major elements nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium and the elements calcium and magnesium in the substrate into insoluble forms. The root system cannot

absorb them, causing the orchid plant to starve and age prematurely, and turn yellow.

3: Water that is too acidic will easily cause phosphorus in the substrate to combine with iron and reduce its activity, affecting root development.

4: Water that is too acidic will reduce the activity of nitrifying bacteria in the substrate, causing the nitrification of ammonium nitrogen to be

limited, leading to poisoning of the root system, and the resulting roots are short and thick and rot brown. In an acidic environment with a PH value less than 5,

acid-loving fungi such as blight and southern blight easily multiply and cause disease.

Once you understand the harm caused by water that is too alkaline or too acidic, you will pay attention to regularly measuring the PH value of the substrate

(preferably once every 3~6 months), and when it does not meet the requirements, correct it in time, so that the orchid plant has a suitable growing

environment.

As for water for watering orchids, in the south there is a lot of rain, and the water used can all meet the requirements, avoiding the harm of acid rain. In the north, where there is

less rain, orchid growers mostly use tap water (mostly groundwater) to water orchids, and tap water quality is mostly alkaline, which requires

treating the water. An appropriate amount of edible vinegar, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, potassium dihydrogen phosphate (sodium) or citric

acid, etc. can be mixed into water that has already been left to stand to make it meet the requirements before use for watering. It can also adjust the PH value of the growing medium. I

often use citric acid to treat the PH value, and the effect is very good. Of course, using rainwater is best! If the PH value is less than 5, you can

add alkaline substances such as sodium bicarbonate, lime, etc. to adjust it until it meets the requirements.