Watering Orchids Is a Skill: These Methods and Techniques Must Be Mastered

For potted orchids, whether grown outdoors or in a greenhouse, it is necessary to keep the roots and the area around the plants moist at all times. Even though mostorchidshave thick, waxy leaves and water-storing pseudobulbs that can regulate themselves during drought and will not wither and die, when conditions are too dry the pseudobulbs will shrivel and growth will be affected. There are many kinds of orchids, and different species and varieties have different water requirements; moreover, potting media differ in their water-holding capacity, so achieving proper watering is no easy task. Generally speaking, when growing orchids in southern China, because rainfall is plentiful and humidity is high, apart from rainy days, in summer and autumn they can be watered once every 2 to 3 days, and in winter and spring once every 5 to 6 days. In northern China, however, because humidity is low throughout the year, it is usually necessary to water once or twice a day and to sprinkle water on the floor and surroundings of the greenhouse or shade house to increase air humidity. This is especially true in winter and spring, when winds are strong and the air is dry, so sprinkling water to maintain humidity must be continued. In winter, when it is freezing cold, heating becomes necessary, but while heating, one should try to raise the indoor air humidity; regularly pouring water onto the heating pipes is the most effective way to create indoor moisture. When watering, also pay attention to the water temperature in winter; lower water temperature can harm the orchid plants and cause water-soaked rotting patches. In addition, for species such as Phalaenopsis, Cattleya and Dendrobium, when watering in winter, if water remains trapped in the leaf axils or on the leaf surface, it is difficult to evaporate and can lead to rot in the crown or leaves. If water is found trapped in the leaf axils or on the leaf surface, it can be blotted dry with highly absorbent toilet paper. As for the daily watering time, in summer and autumn it is best around sunset, while in winter and spring it is best around sunrise. This way, in summer it prevents the effects of intense heat, and in winter it prevents the impact of sudden cold on the orchid pseudobulbs. Li Shaoqiu, Hu Songhua