Bare-Root Hydroponic Growing Methods and Precautions for Phalaenopsis Orchids

I believe that whether you are a new flower enthusiast or a veteran grower, anyone who has kept "Phalaenopsis" orchids has encountered root rot and hollow roots. The cause of hollow roots is that the root has lacked water for a long time, then after exhausting itself it becomes shriveled. As for root rot, it is mostly because the ventilation environment is not good enough while the growing medium retains water too well, which then leads to long-term water accumulation. So when it comes to care, how exactly should you water? Below is a rough and simple method.

Everyone thinks watering Phalaenopsis orchids is difficult, but actually once you master the watering technique, you only need to look at the color of the roots. If the roots are a lush green, that means you do not need to water. When the roots turn white, that proves it is time to water, and here is something amazing: at this point, as soon as the roots touch water, the root system quickly turns from white to green.

After watering, you cannot keep it indoors or in a space without airflow. You must find a place with good ventilation and scattered light to put it, and wait until the roots turn white again before watering next time. As long as you follow this cycle, the Phalaenopsis orchids you grow will definitely turn out fine.

Judging by the habits of Phalaenopsis orchids, their roots love a growing medium that is moist but not waterlogged, with a state just like a freshly wrung-out towel, moist but not dripping water when squeezed. If the roots are not doing well and there is a lot of root rot, then water less, which can stimulate it to grow new roots. Conversely, if the roots are very sturdy and the surrounding environment is dry, then you cannot leave it dry at this time, especially when it is blooming, because being too dry easily causes bud drop, and the leaves will also be drained and become wilted. Proper care requires alternating between wet and dry.

Finally, here are a few suggestions for beginners: do not be afraid to water just because you fear root rot. Actually, the plant is not that delicate. The watering frequency can depend on the season, environment and seedling size, roughly once every 10 to 20 days, 50 to 100 ml each time, and observe the condition of the transparent cup yourself. If you really run into problems later, search online more and refer to the experience of flower enthusiasts who have grown them for several years; that is better than guessing randomly on your own. In short, I hope everyone's Phalaenopsis orchids get through summer smoothly.