How to water orchids? A detailed explanation of the correct watering methods for growing orchids

Watering is the foundation of growingorchidswell, but it is not easy to explain the watering issue very precisely. Here we can only speak of the framework of watering; the specific amount, timing, and degree still need orchid growers to grasp and understand in light of their actual conditions. I. Seasons: Seasons are divided into spring, summer, autumn, and winter according to temperature changes. In actual watering work, the appropriate watering time and amount should be chosen according to the temperature change characteristics of the season. The temperature in spring is characterized by cold nights and warm days, so the watering time should be chosen at 10 a.m.; moist soil accompanied by gradually rising temperatures is extremely beneficial to the sprouting and growth of orchid plants, and with a small amount of ventilation, it will not cause any adverse effect on the growth of orchid plants. The temperature in summer is characterized by hot days and cool nights. According to this characteristic, orchid plants should be watered at 8 p.m. in summer. If watering is still done in the morning, there are the following drawbacks: overly wet potting medium under the effect of high temperature will produce a large amount of foul air, easily create a greenhouse effect and very easily scorch orchid roots; under high temperature orchid plants stagnate in growth; orchid roots need water that is moist but not waterlogged; under high temperature, overly wet material is not conducive to aeration and respiration of orchid roots and easily causes waterlogging. But it absolutely must not be dry, otherwise it easily causes dehydration of orchid plants and the formation of hollow roots. The temperature in autumn is similar to that in summer, so the watering time can be the same as in summer. The temperature in winter is characterized by cold nights and cool days, and the best watering time should be chosen at noon. In short, the watering time for orchid plants should as much as possible be chosen at a temperature suitable for the growth of orchid plants. II. How to water The correct watering method is to water slowly. So-called slow means gradual; the degree of slowness is based on not disturbing the potting medium on the surface of the orchid pot. For fine potting medium or mixed potting medium, gentle and slow watering is very important. If watering is too rapid, it is very easy to disturb the potting medium, with the lighter or larger particles floating on top and the finer, heavier particles remaining below, which easily causes the base medium to form layers and form a new unreasonable base medium structure, thereby affecting the air permeability of the potting medium and preventing orchid plants from growing normally. The correct watering method is to divide watering into three times to water thoroughly. Misting can directly improve air humidity and lower temperature. Misting should be fine and mist-like. In summer, do not mist orchid plants when they are receiving light, so as to avoid orchid plants generating heat under the effect of sunlight after misting and being scorched. III. Water temperature The water temperature of each watering should be close to the temperature of the potting medium in the orchid pot. Too large a temperature difference very easily scorches orchid plants, just as humans easily get sick when the ambient air temperature changes greatly. Therefore,orchidsare best watered with water stored in the same place as the potted orchids, where the temperature changes little and it is very convenient to use. The principle for grasping water temperature is: in winter and spring, rather high than low; in autumn and summer, rather low than high; temperature difference less than 5 degrees; orchid plants remain safe and sound. IV. Water amount The amount of water per watering and the interval between waterings vary greatly, and they are affected by many factors in the external environment, so it is very difficult to state them accurately. Here we discuss a rough framework in combination with potting medium. First, carefully choose a potting medium suitable for your own environment. Once the potting medium is selected, it absolutely must not be changed at will. It is the first factor affecting water evaporation. By commonly using one kind of potting medium, you can accurately grasp its performance, such as how many days to water, how much water to give, and so on, accurately understand the soil moisture condition, water at the right time and to the right degree, and have a clear idea in mind. In this way, over a long period, watering does not require tapping the pot to check the soil; you can freely lift the pot and water, and water just right. Only then can watering be called knowing how to water. The amount of water for watering should grasp the following standards: 1. In spring, watering should preferably be moderate in amount, and it is not suitable to water heavily for a long time, otherwise it is unfavorable for retaining fertilizer. In spring, orchid plants need a certain amount of fertility, and overly lean potting medium is unfavorable for orchid plants sending up new shoots. 2. In summer, watering should preferably be heavy and thorough. In summer, orchid plants grow slowly and need less fertilizer. Excess remaining fertility under the effect of high temperature very easily damages orchid plants. Using heavy water to carry away the remaining fertility in the orchid pot is an important measure to ensure orchid plants pass the summer safely. The water amount in autumn is the same as in spring. In winter, orchid plants enter dormancy and need less water, so watering should be based on keeping moist. V. Simulating nature In nature,orchidsmostly have luxuriant branches and leaves and grow vigorously. However, rainwater in nature is not artificially controlled, and continuous rainy days and long droughts without rain often occur. Yet orchid plants in nature all remain safe and sound. Orchids growing in nature fully demonstrate that orchid plants have strong adaptability. In our practice of growingorchids,we can simulate natural rainfall to enhance the adaptability of orchid plants. Maintaining a certain "wildness" in orchid plants is very beneficial. The author's approach is "treat sunny as rainy" and "treat rainy as dry." That is, on sunny and dry days water heavily; on rainy days do not water and let them dry, and intentionally prolong the dry-pot time. It should be explained that the drying must not be prolonged without limit, otherwise it will hinder the normal growth of orchid plants. Generally, coarse medium can be prolonged by 12-24 hours, and mixed medium can be prolonged by 24-36 hours. Make the potting medium "dry within wet" and "wet within dry." Through such cyclical and gradual progress, excellent base medium moisture conditions are beneficial to the growth of orchid plants. The number of times of intentionally prolonging drying must not be too many, and in spring it should be done less. In addition, let us talk about fertilizing. Fertilizing orchid plants is always related to water. Whether organic fertilizer, inorganic fertilizer, or farmyard manure, all are diluted with water to lower their concentration. Ingrowing orchids, the author deliberately fertilizes only twice a year, once in spring and once in autumn. All other fertilization is unintentional, that is, after diluting according to the ratio, dilute again by 8-10 times. Its fertility is extremely weak, and applying it together with ordinary watering is safe and reliable. Contact address: Civil Engineering Company, Tianjia'an Power Plant, Huainan City, Anhui Province Author: Song Mingyuan Home phone: 0554-3663358 Mobile phone: 13605547920