Phalaenopsis orchids watering

Phalaenopsis orchids watering

On my blog I would like to draw attention to the most common mistakes made in growing phalaenopsis orchids.

Growing orchids is simple and also difficult, because many people do not have the right knowledge before buying a plant, which leads to the death of the plant in many cases.

Many people have orchids, but not everyone knows how to take care of them. Many pseudo-experts who post videos about the proper care of orchids have no idea how to take care of them, and following the advice they give would sooner or later lead to the death of any plant.

One of the few incorrect watering tips given to us by "internet experts" is that the orchid should be watered immediately after repotting. Regardless of your efforts, due to their brittleness, the roots of the orchid will be damaged to a greater or lesser extent during repotting. This can lead to their rotting or infection, so it is most reasonable to wait up to 7 days after repotting so that any wounds can dry out.

Another thing worth paying attention to is choosing the right size of the cover to ensure proper air circulation for the roots, it cannot fit tightly to the pot. Many people praise built-in covers that fit perfectly into the pot, I think this is a big mistake.

The orchid should be watered by soaking up to 3/4 of the height of the pot once a week.

Many growers prefer frequent spraying of the leaves, also with the addition of fertilizer or glossing agents.  Personally, I do not use spraying, but this is an individual matter. The only thing to watch out for is that water does not get into the growth cone. Spraying is not recommended in winter, due to the low temperature, which prevents complete evaporation of water, which can result in fungal infections. In summer, for the same reason, spray orchids in the morning.

                                           

                                                 

 Example of a healthy orchid.

                                               

Another controversial issue is the water that we should use for watering.

Tap water should not be used for watering, because it contains a lot of limestone and calcium. Watering orchids with mineral water risks salinization.

I believe that orchids should be watered with distilled water or rainwater from a long rainfall, because such water is purified.