How Often to Water Orchids? Detailed Guide to Watering Times and Key Points

How often should you water orchids? Orchids are also known as lan, lancao, lanhua, youlan, guoxiang, and konggu xianzi. They bear racemes with several or many flowers, in colors such as white, pure white, white-green, yellow-green, pale yellow, and pale yellow-brown, and they stand alongside "plum, bamboo, and chrysanthemum" to form the collective "Four Gentlemen." In May 1985, orchids were rated fourth among the top ten famous flowers, so today we will discuss the key care points for orchids, which are much loved by flower enthusiasts, as follows.

I. How often to water orchids.

When growing orchids, watering too frequently or giving an excessive amount of water every day can cause wounds to the orchid plant. Relatively speaking, you can let the orchid plant go a few days slightly dry, and it will not die. The correct watering method is: wait until the potting soil is completely dry, until all the soil in the flower pot is dry, then water. When watering, water thoroughly until water comes out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. If there is excess water flowing out into the tray, promptly pour off the excess water. For plants that prefer somewhat more moisture, such as potted plants like pothos and nerve plant, you can increase the watering frequency once the temperature is above 17°C.

II. The best time to water orchids

When watering orchids in spring, summer, and autumn, it is best to do so before 9 a.m. Avoid watering at night, because at night the moisture in the soil cannot dissipate, and water may also remain on the leaf surface or the plant, thereby causing root rot or leaf rot and easily triggering infection. In hot seasons, when the nighttime temperature is relatively high, you can water in the evening or at night, and avoid watering at noon. For plants that go dormant in winter, be careful to water less.

III. Precautions for watering orchids

When watering, do not just pour a little so that only the surface soil is moist and then stop. This is not good for plant growth; a little water is only enough to moisten the surface soil, and the roots cannot absorb moisture, which can easily cause yellow leaves and fusarium wilt in the plant. Therefore, each time you water, water thoroughly and avoid giving only half a watering.