How to master the timing of watering in a more scientific way

Water is the source of all life.Orchidscannot survive without water.Orchids, like other plants, have a direct relationship between the evaporation within the plant and the humidity in the air. The water absorbed by the roots contains various nutrients and dissolved mineral trace elements, and serves the functions of transporting nutrients, supplying carbohydrates and regulating the plant's temperature. Therefore, with regard toorchids, special attention should be paid to the regulation and management of water. "Linghai Lanyan" points out: "Growing orchids has flexible methods but no rigid rules. The sky's cloudy or clear state, the local cold or warmth, and the constitutional nature each orchid receives are all different, so one simply adjusts according to the circumstances." That is to say, each person's orchid-growing location and environment differ, as do the lighting and ventilation; the size of the orchid pots and thegrowingmedia also differ. At the same time, cloudy or clear skies and cold or warm weather will also cause orchids to change their water requirements. So it is very difficult to set a single standard. To master watering well is indeed a profound field of study. This is the key to success or failure in growing orchids. Everyone must gain mastery through practice. Here I offer only a few personal views for reference. First, one must clearly recognize the orchidflower'scharacteristics and ecological environment. Orchids belong to the monocotyledonous plants, with fleshy roots, relatively thick leaves, a shiny waxy surface, and plump pseudobulbs. The roots and pseudobulbs can store an appropriate amount of water to self-regulate when it becomes dry. Thus they can withstand temporary dryness, are not easily killed, have fairly strong vitality, and also have great capacity for revival. But if it becomes too dry, the pseudobulbs and leaves shrivel, which affects growth. Conversely, if there is too much water and the pot remains constantly waterlogged, the roots cannot breathe the oxygen in the air, and oxygen is one of the important nutrients for plant growth. This not only affects normal development, but because the roots are soaked in water for a long time, the root growth points will rot as a result, and water-soaked brown spots appear on the roots, causing insect pests and fungi to multiply in large numbers, resulting in root rot, so that water and nutrients can no longer be absorbed from the roots. At this point, in order to grow, the orchid has no choice but to obtain the water it needs from the leaves and bulbs instead. In a humid environment, it can temporarily maintain survival; but if the air is dry or there is strong sunlight and wind, the orchid, due to insufficient water supply of its own, will slowly turn black and dry at the leaf tips, the leaf surface will shrivel into spots, the bulbs will also show sunken straight spots, and finally the whole plant will die. Therefore, there are times when the orchid pot needs to be moist and times when it needs to be dry. If the pot remains moist for a long time, it will lead to root rot and destruction of the plant. We should understand that the key to watering lies in how to regulate the water and aeration in the pot, that is, using a cycle of quick wetting and quick drying, so that the orchid will not become excessively wet or excessively dry. Sometimes a great deal of watering is needed, while at other times only the leaf surface is sprayed; sometimes water once or twice a day, and sometimes do not water for two or three days. In order to achieve the requirement of quick wetting and quick drying, thegrowingmedium must use materials with good moisture retention and air permeability that do not rot easily, so that the pot is kept both moist and free of standing water. In this way, the roots naturally grow well, and only then can the plant be robust. Second, one must master the method of watering. Except in special circumstances (such as not long after repotting, or during the low-temperature dormant period below 10°C), watering should generally be thorough. Water until it can soak through the center of the pot and water flows out from the bottom of the pot. The purpose is to flush out residual fertilizer, residual chemicals and foul air in the pot, achieving air exchange and cooling within the pot. After watering, pay attention to ventilation in the orchid room; if there is no wind, an electric fan can be used to blow air so that the water evaporates quickly. If the weather is cloudy and rainy, do not water, to avoid excessive humidity. If the air is dry and the temperature is high, water should immediately be sprinkled on the ground, walls and flower stands to increase humidity, reduce the orchid's evaporation, and lower the temperature of the orchid room; only after the medium in the pot has dried somewhat should watering be done. Never just sprinkle water on the pot surface every day; if the water does not reach the center of the pot, the residual fertilizer in the pot cannot be discharged, and anaerobic bacteria will multiply in large numbers in the pot, attacking the orchid roots and causing root rot. Therefore, on the day before and the day after each fertilization, be sure to water thoroughly, so that residual fertilizer cannot accumulate in the pot and fertilizer burn is avoided. The method of watering and the degree of watering differ from person to person. Some people like ample light and ample water, that is, "wet method" management; some people like slightly shadier conditions and slightly less water, that is, "dry method" management. In the past, most watering methods used the "dry method", believing in the ancients' saying of "dry orchids, wet chrysanthemums", and that orchids have a certain drought tolerance and do not need very much water, so water only when the pot surface is dry but not parched. This method is more suitable when the orchid-growing environment has poor sunlight and not very good ventilation, and during the two seasons of winter and spring. If the orchid-growing environment has good ventilation and ample sunlight, "wet method" management can be used. Especially in the two seasons of summer and autumn, when the temperature is high and leaf evaporation is great, the water requirement is relatively high; except on rainy days, be sure to drench thoroughly before noon, and also drench the ground, walls and pot stands thoroughly. In this way, the orchid's water consumption can be replenished, and heatstroke prevention and cooling can also be achieved. If conditions permit, an automatic sprayer can be used, or a small fan can be used to send the moisture into the orchid room. Orchids, like other plants, all have a habit: when you are accustomed to "wet method" management, once you switch to "dry method" management, there will be a risk of causing root rot. Therefore, you must not use the "wet method" at one moment and then switch to the "dry method" at another, lest it harm the orchidflower'slife functions and affect normal development. In short, watering should not be carried out according to a fixed schedule. Instead, you should carefully observe the degree of dryness or moisture of the orchid pot, and whether the medium on the pot surface, or the material at the inner rim of the pot bottom, has completely drained off its water and presents a state of being dry but not parched; that is the appropriate time to water. If you can judge the timing of watering accurately from the degree of dryness or moisture of the orchid pot, and seize the opportunity to water appropriately, you will certainly be able to successfully cultivate robust orchid plants. Su Bushi