Q&A for How to Water Orchids

Only for about 5 minutes. Then lift the draining pot out until it drains, re-inserting after dripping stops.

Yes. Put your pot in a bowl of water for about 5 minutes before removing it. The water will come up through the drainage holes to water your orchid. Be sure to let all the excessive water drain from the pot. Do this once a week; do not over water your orchid.

I've used this method a lot, but have never removed the ice. I usually place 2-3 ice cubes on top of moss on the outer edge, and let them melt completely.

No, not really. Orchid roots will commonly grow in, around, over and under their pots.

That sounds um... "fishy". A more detailed explanation of what "drowning" entails may help to evaluate. Most orchid species like humidity, but NOT standing water.

That should be fine, but if you have a large drill bit, you may want to drill a hole in the bottom of the pot as well. Orchids get most of their nutrients from the air and not from their dirt, so you want a pot that will not allow water to stand in it, and one that will allow air to circulate around the roots.

Many things can cause this. Here are a few: A shock from a sudden change in environment, ethylene gas from heaters that burn propane or kerosene, a change in lighting or extreme temperature fluctuations. It is also good to do your own research on why they are turning yellow and falling off.

It may be getting too much water, or not enough. Remember to stay in the Goldilocks zone.

Bud blast has many causes. Check this article to find your culprit: http://www.aos.org/orchids/orchid-pests-diseases/bud-blast.aspx

No. Ice cubes would make the orchids' roots cold, and orchids are tropical plants that don't experience that type of cold in their natural environment.

Only if your orchids are 100% healthy. I use rain water with and without fertilizer. I soak my vandas and water my other orchids with the same water because they are all healthy. If they are new to the family, they are watered in individual pots.

Not exactly, the water will not hurt the flower. Though it will leave a spot once it dries up, thereby making the flower less attractive.

Yes, that is fine, but you should eventually replant your orchid.

Use an orchid pot if you are able to find one. Usually they can be found at garden centers alongside the regular terracotta pots. They are on the small side, wide, and have extra drainage holes on the sides of the pot.

The leaves will be dark green and you should see a small amount of moisture in the clear pot. If the leaves turn yellow or the crown is rotting, you're overwatering them. If the leaves look dry and wrinkly and the roots look white and rubbery, you're not watering them enough. Orchids are very resilient, so don't worry too much.

Follow the directions labeled on the fertilizer container. Typically, it's listed for making a gallon size amount of plant water. If that is the case, then divide the fertilizer amount by 4 in order to make a quarts-worth of plant water. Be sure to water in the morning, which will allow excess water to drain from the plant before nightfall. Once that water drains off, remove it from the pot, as it can lead to root rot.

Is the pot sitting close to a widow or in a hot room? That is maybe speeding up the drying, but if it just appears dry, you may want to try sticking your finger about an inch into the soil to make sure. It is also possible it is root bound because its pot is too small, as orchids are often sold in tiny containers. If none of these things change any thing, your orchid is probably fine.

If you got it as such, then no, it means it has not yet bloomed to its fullest. If they are shriveled up, they are dead.

A bug infestation, a disease, the orchids not getting enough water, and/or the roots rotting could cause this.

Yes. Newly planted orchids need enough water to bloom, but shouldn't be watered too much in a pot without draining holes. If the pot has draining holes, you should use half a cup.

If you're talking about the old canes that already drop their leaves but still healthy, the answer is no. Any living healthy old canes and back bulb, they're the food and water storage for the orchid, but if it is already rotten or dried you should probably cut it off the plant (Orchid).

You can leave it in as long as the pot has holes big enough to provide good drainage.

Your orchid should be in bright, indirect light, but not in direct light. Put it in a bright but shady spot. After a while, you should be able to judge how much light your orchid needs. If there are discolored splotches, it means that your orchid is getting sunburned.

No! You shouldn't take the stick off because the flower stem might break.

They will last more than a year. If you take care of your orchids correctly and do not transplant them too much, they will probably last even longer.

Depends on your orchids; there are water orchids and air orchids. Air orchids will get root rot if the water is not drained.

You should use half a cup if the pot has draining holes, if not, use a little less. Water every other day.

I’d say use the ice cube method. Depending on how big the plants are, maybe 4 for 5 smaller orchids or 6 for 5 large orchids (could differ, I’m sure people could give their advice) once a week. I’d try misting as well as that would give the hydration without drowning them. I really would suggest trying to get some form of hole at the bottom if possible. Orchids get their nutrients from the air around their roots rather than the water or ‘soil’.

Roughly once every 2 years, to a pot about an inch or two wider than the pot it’s in. It’s better to repot it when it’s blooming cycle has stopped too. You can tell if an orchid needs to be repotted if: 1) the roots are really starting to grow up and out (or down) of the pot it’s in, 2) if the potting mix is fine and small (orchids get the nutrients from the air, so this stops that process), 3) if the roots are twisting tightly together (they can twist loosely together and still be perfectly fine, but if it looks constricted then it’s time for a repot).

Once a week, if that. Misting helps during the winter as it doesn’t let the plant drown but keeps it hydrated.