📹 Phalaenopsis Orchid, simple watering, fertilizing and medium explained
Explaining my hows and whys for what I do for my orchids St Augustine Orchid Society Orchid Supplement or Snake Oil by Sue …
Do orchids like wet or dry soil?
Orchids flourish in arid environments and necessitate less irrigation than other tropical flora. However, it is a common error among orchid growers to maintain an excessively moist soil environment, which can result in root rot. This phenomenon manifests as discolouration and necrosis of the roots, leading to their demise.
What is the TDS for orchids?
It is essential to provide orchids with water that has an electrical conductivity (EC) between 0. 75 and 1. 25 millisiemens per centimeter (mS/cm), which is equivalent to a total dissolved solids (TDS) concentration of 525-825 parts per million (ppm).
What is the moisture level for orchids?
Air humidity is crucial for orchid growth, with some species needing as little as 40 and others as much as 80. In the northeast, humidity can be as low as 25. To maintain humidity, use humidifiers or group plants on a tray filled with water. A hygrometer can be used to assess humidity and maintain the desired range. Humidity should be higher at the warmer end and lower at the cooler end to prevent problems. Some orchids, like Phaleanopsis, can manage with lower humidity, but this may decrease the plant’s chances of successful re-flowering.
For orchids like Vanda, gentle air movement is recommended, and a small fan can be used to circulate air, especially when high humidity is present. For more information on the best humidity range for orchids, consult Guides to Caring for Orchids.
How moist should orchid soil be?
Watering your orchid every 7 to 11 days, especially when the mix is dry, is essential to prevent damage and prevent overwatering, which can lead to crown rot, root rot, and other infestations. Watering in the morning is recommended as nighttime watering can leave water sitting for a period. Additionally, consider the temperature of your house, as high thermostats may cause the orchid to grow in summer. Visit our shop to see beautiful phalaenopsis orchids grown in the south coast of England, and sign up for our newsletter to access our orchids at discounted prices when we have grown a few too many.
What is the ideal soil pH for orchids?
The maintenance of optimal nutrient absorption in orchids is contingent upon the maintenance of both the pH of the fertilizing solution and the orchid mix. The majority of orchids require a pH level between 5. 5 and 6. A pH of 5. 0 is recommended. To reduce the pH level, citric acid may be employed, whereas lime or oyster shell can be utilized to elevate it. A pH level that is either too high or too low can result in a deficiency or toxicity of micronutrients.
Is tap water ok for orchids?
Rainwater or melted snow is the best water for orchids due to its nitrogen content and lack of chemicals used to treat tap water. Regular tap water is suitable if not softened with salts. Room temperature water is ideal, but ice cubes can be used to water orchids without harming the plant. Place up to three ice cubes on the potting medium once a week, preferably not touching the leaves. Misting orchids by hand is not recommended, but placing them on a humidity tray or running a humidifier in the room can help maintain higher humidity levels. Misting by hand is not a recommended method for orchids, but placing them on a tray with pebbles can help humidify the air around the plant.
What is a good soil moisture percentage?
The majority of flowers, trees, and shrubs require soil moisture levels between 21 and 40, whereas all vegetables necessitate soil moisture levels between 41 and 80. It is essential that all plants and trees are cultivated with soil moisture levels that are appropriate for their respective species.
What is a good TDS level for plants?
High TDS levels in raw water can lead to nutrient locking, poor growth, and nutrient deficiencies in plants. It is recommended to use RO water with a lesser TDS to control nutrition for plants. TDS requirements for different plants vary, such as lettuces and exotics needing a 700-800 ppm range, and tomatoes requiring a 2100 ppm range. It is crucial to understand the plant’s needs and provide the right TDS range for each crop. Small plants have less TDS requirements than larger ones. Therefore, it is essential to provide the right TDS range for each plant to ensure optimal nutrition.
What is the best setup for orchids?
The nun’s orchid, a large plant with broad, pleated leaves, can grow up to 48 inches tall. It produces numerous striking white, yellow, purple, and magenta flowers on long spikes. These orchids are heavy feeders and prefer intermediate to warm temperatures, 65 to 75 degrees F, and bright light. They require air movement and humidity above 60.
Phragmipediums, lady’s slipper orchids from Central and South America, have pouch-like lower petals and come in various colors. They flower in succession over a period of months and have long, strap-like foliage. To maintain moisture retention, grow them in plastic pots and maintain temperatures in the 70s and 80s degrees F during the day and 60s at night. Feed weekly with diluted fertilizer.
Sun: Part shade, water: Medium height: 0. 75 – 3 feet.
Do moisture meters work for orchids?
Moisture meters are not accurate due to their design for soil, not bark or orchid media. Even if your orchid is wet enough, they may indicate dryness. To judge moisture, use a skewer or pot weight. Phals in clear pots can be used to guide you by their root color. If the roots appear green with moisture beads, water is needed. Once they turn silvery white, water again. This foolproof method is ideal for orchids.
What is the best ppm for orchids?
Water quality is crucial for orchid growth, especially for growers whose water comes from aquifers. Water with less than 525 ppm of total dissolved solids is considered tolerable for most orchids, but water with less than 175 ppm is ideal as it mimics rainwater. Salt buildup can affect growers overfertilizing and is often caused by hard water. Some water softeners add sodium and chlorine, which can kill plants instantly. However, chlorine is an essential micronutrient that plants need to function and is abundant in nature.
New York City tap water is a good water source for orchids, with a total dissolved solids rating of 77 ppm. It is very pure and slightly acidic, which is desired by most orchids. Fertilizer minerals are considered salts, making it difficult to fertilize with hard water. To prevent salt buildup, add weak acids or flush your orchids every two weeks/month. If your water is too hard, use rain or distilled water.
📹 Best water to grow orchids | Water quality for orchids | Water pH and ppm for orchids
Best water to grow orchids | Water quality for orchids | Water pH and ppm for orchids If the pH of the water is too high or too low, …
I think you can find as many different ideas for caring for these plants as there are growers. The same applies to most types of growing. I have learned a lot from this website as well as from others. It is true that you have to go with what works for your particular environment and your lifestyle. Learn about where orchids originate and about what they need to grow vigorously and go from there. Everyone has a different situation to deal with. Personally, I like to keep it as simple as possible. I’m not trying to win a prize at a show but I do want the best possible situation for my plants. I have grown succulents and various types of tropical plants. I am fairly new to orchids. Now I find that I am spending a lot more time studying and caring for the orchids. Some people are nurturers. I believe that a lot of plant people seem to be nurturers but some have more time to do their nurturing than others. As the number of plants grows sometimes how we care for them changes. It is very rewarding to see the results of your care for those plants and it is a type of heartbreak to see a failure.
Hi Carolyn. You reminded me of the old joke that if you ask 5 orchid growers how to take care of an orchid you will get 10 different ways ha ha ! It took me a while to realize that everyone’s growing conditions are different and what works in Florida might not work in Ontario. They are tough plants though and try to adjust to us. You are so right that being surrounded by beautiful flowers in winter makes us feel more cheerful. Have a wonderful day.
Hi Carolyn! You’re a wondeful teacher! I’ve followed pointers from you, Rick L, Orchid Whisperer among a few favorites, also Justin of Here but Not. I’ve been successful so far, just 3 years growing. No matter what I do, the orchids just do what they do, lol! Some rescue orchids I’ve taken in for 2 yrs suddenly bloomed and these were the most neglected. Just saying, we all have our versions of growing and mine is a hybrid of all my favorite YB grower so I’m thankful for all I learned.
Hi, Carolyn! Always, always glad to visit with you. 🧡 So happy to see all of your babies doing so fantastic! Amazing that the dendrobium seems to be healing! Your information (including trials and errors) is very helpful to the average home grower, as many of us are here. For me, I gain a little knowledge here and there, and in the end I do what works best for me. After experimenting with different media, fertilizers, etc., and water culture, too 😫, I have now settled on mostly bark with a bit of lava rock, coco coir fiber husk chips, and your watering schedule. I got a humidifier in November to use in our breakfast room, where most of my orchids live, and I really notice a huge difference in the way the leaves look! Thank you for being YOU! Take good care. With love, Mary Ann
Good evening Carolyn! I must say that I totally agree with you…I do not like sphagnum moss either. I use bark only, too! My humidity isn’t as high as yours so I usually water every 4-5 days during the winter when the heat is on and every 6 -7 days in the summer. I also use CalMag in all of my watering except when I use plain water only. I have to use RO water, though, because our water has a very high ph. I use seaweed in one of my waterings, too. But I don’t use black tea… I am so surprised that your dendrobium has grown back together so well…..that’s terrific!! It’s such a lovely plant! Have a great rest of the week….it’s been sooooo cold here!!
I’m well aware of all your saying. I’ve learned some very good information from st Augustine Orchid Society. Since they are in Fl, it’s better than going by northern part of our country. Especially if no air conditioning and plants indoors. I merely asked a question since you seems to be problems with the tiny orchids.
hey! good to see this article and I like that you provide the science behind what you do, but for me I just like the healthy look of your foliage and blooms … the proof is in the pudding! Amy switched from growing in water to bark and moss so I don’t know about that, I guess you can grow in different ways but what you are doing really works well and grows some beautiful healthy plants!!!! That’s funny that Jack wants you outfitted to work, ha!