Orchids, which grow on trees, prefer water ranging from 5.5 to 6.5 pH. Rainwater is the best choice for orchids as it collects organic matter like pollen and dust from the air. The kitchen sink method is a popular method for watering orchids, as it allows for thorough watering without causing harm to the plant.
The best time to water an orchid is in the morning, as it allows the plant all day to utilize it. Regular tap water is fine if not softened with salts, but room temperature water is best. Ice cubes can be used to water the orchid without harming the plant, about once a week, preferably where the cubes don’t touch the leaves.
For miniatures that are more sensitive, distilled water and fertilized tap water diluted with distilled water can be used. For most orchids, a pH between 5.5 and 6.0 is ideal, but this depends on factors such as the species of orchid, the time of year, and where it grows. To lower the pH, use Citric Acid, while to raise it, use Lime or Oyster Shell.
Lukewarm water (do not use salt-softened or distilled water) should be used to water the plant for about 15 seconds, thoroughly wetting the pot. Fill the sink with lukewarm water to about the top of the grow pot, not submerging the whole plant, and let it sit in the water for about 15 seconds.
In summary, orchids require a pH range of 5.5 to 6.0, with rainwater being the best choice due to its rich collection of organic matter. Proper watering techniques, such as using the sink, ensuring proper watering, and using lukewarm water, are essential for maintaining the health and growth of your orchids.
📹 What water is good for Orchids?
Today we talk a bit more about what type of water is better for orchids, which sources can provide it and what actually means a …
📹 Q&A – What water is best for Orchids? – Everything you need to know
Today’s question is: I water my orchids with tap water … I’m doing the right thing here ? As some growers say only use rain water .
I live in WA states where it rain a lot. I grow over a hundred of phals and other orchids (80% rescued orchids) indoor including other house plants for many years now. I use artificial lightings in the winter. They are by my kitchen windows setting on the shelves. I have been using gutter rain water with no problems. When I ran out of rain and too cold to go out to get them I use purified water as a substitute. I watched many articles growing orchids, tried many types of medias and learned from it. Now I settled with moss, water culture do not work for me too many root to and crown rot after loosing over 10 orchids I settled with just sphagnum moss and my orchids are happy. Never lost any. Hardly use fertilizers. Rain water works best for me here in the NW.
NOW i KNOW WHAT WATER TO USE FOR MY ORCHIDS, THANK YOU SOOO MUCH, I REALLY ENJOY YOUR articleS And even though I just started growing orchids 2 months ago I have learned so much, BTW I have 9 phals and I converted all of them to full water media as soon as I bought them, so I am having some difficulties but live and learn, I just don’t know if I should repot them to bark since I am a heavy waterer so if I use moss I will kill them, so I was thinking lava rock or bark, but now is Fall so I don’t know if I should do it now, what do you thing? I have no blooms on any of them and most of their roots are gone, my gosh I really jumped into the full water media totally blind instead of learning first and leaving them in their mix of bark and moss, I live in California USA and my plant zone is #10 so in winter it does not get any lower than 50 55 degrees F. I don’t know what to do and I really love my orchids and I want to continue growing them, I always wanted to. maybe someone can help me with advises please!!! I am pretty desperate.
thank you sooo much for this article!! It was so informative and helpful! Unfortunatelly I just found out that maybe I killed one of my orchids because of mineral water. I thought that it was a good idea to “feed” them with minerals, but never occured to me that I would kill one of them…. My orchid (phalaenopsis) has no roots left and now i am trying water culture… Anyway… what I wanted to ask you is what about filtered tab water?? Does it make any difference??
Hola Danny, I have a questions. Here in Caracas-Venezuela we have a expectacular hill maned El Avila with several cascade and manantials waters. I water my orchids with manantial water is that good for my orchids? I get Phals, Oncidiuns, Tolumnias, Phapios and Cattleyas. Thanks for all your articles, they all are very good.?
Hi there? is it advisable to water your orchids daily? i do have plenty of den phals, ground orchids i believe they call it common chinese ground orchids and some vandas. i live in the Philippines where humidity is so high and my orchids are all planted outside they are all under the sun. with a lil bit shades from the trees.