How to Water Orchids: 3 Simple Ways (But NO Ice cubes!)

What is the best way to water an orchid? In this post, I will go through in detail 3 ways to water your orchid and some important information that you need to know about each one:

  1. Stream water through the pot  until the potting medium is throughly soaked.
  2. Give your plant a good soak in a cachepot or bucket for a period of time (this is best for very dehydrated plants).
  3. Place your plants outdoors during wam weather, or during periods of rain.

Notice I did not include ice cubes as a method to water your orchids. I’ll explain why later.

Whatever method you use, water quality is an important consideration, and if you have treated water from a water softening unit, do not use this to water your orchids.

Most of these units exchange calcium and magnesium with sodium, and sodium is toxic to plants.

The American Orchid Society also advises against using distilled water to water your orchids.

If you are using RO water or distilled water, you’ll need to add fertilizer to replace necessary nutrients. Many orchid enthusiasts have great success using the MSU Orchid Fertilizer (link to Amazon) that is specially formulated for these cases.

I personally have been using tap water for years without any issues and I live in a hard water region (though rain water would be superior if you can collect it) and I supplement with Dyna-Gro Grow fertilizer with almost every watering (1/4-/12 teaspoon per gallon).

Now let’s talk about the actual watering methods:


Stream Water Through in Your Sink

This is the simplest method that you can use for routine watering of your plant. Take your plant to the sink and stream lukewarm water through the pot so that you thoroughly soak the potting medium (whether you’re using orchid bark or sphagnum moss).

Be sure to moisten everything well! Water temperature is important, so avoid using water that is too cold because this can shock your plant. Remember, these are tropical plants and are used to warm conditions, so make sure you use tepid water and not cold water.

Allow all water to drain away through the drainage holes, and you’re done. This method is great if your plant is in good condition and not terribly dehydrated. If you’ve neglected your plant and your orchid bark or sphagnum moss has gone terribly dry, I recommend using method #2 in the next section.

I also like to wet the entire plant in order to rinse dust off the leaves and moisten any aerial roots that otherwise would not get any attention. This will also help deter and help to wash away any pests. Once I’m done, I turn the plant upside down and gently shake it in order to dislodge any water that may have collected in the crown of the plant (where the leaves join together in the center of your plant).

If you have stagnant air with poor air circulation combined with water lodged in the crown of the plant, this could encourage crown rot. If it’s impractical to turn your plant upside down, I sometimes just take a deep breath and blow out any water that has accumulated in the middle of the plant! Whatever works for you.


Soak Your Orchid for More Intensive Watering

You can use this method for routine watering as well, but it is especially beneficial if your potting medium has gone really dry and you need to be able to increase the water retention to previous levels.  When bark or even sphagnum moss (whatever your orchid happens to be growing in) goes completely dry, it is sometimes difficult to “re-wet” and this method will help accomplish that.

Depending on how dry your plant is, simply slip your plant into a decorative pot or bowl of water, and let it soak for at least 15-30 minutes.

This will not rot out your plant. I’ve seen some sources saying that soaking your plant longer than 5 minutes will cause your plant to rot and it’s simply not true! You’re not leaving your orchid in water for days.  In fact, if you have a severely dehydrated plant with shriveled roots, you can use this method to soak your plant even overnight and do this at least weekly until it starts to revive.

Once your soak is done, take your plant out of the exterior pot, let the water drain out, take the exterior pot and empty the water in the bottom of the pot, slip your plant back in and you’re done. I’ve used this method many times and have never had root rot before, as long as you have a dry period in between watering.

The first step toward success is taken when you refuse to be a captive of the environment.

-Mark Caine
Let Mother Nature Water Your Orchids

I often take my orchids outdoors for the summer and place them in the shade for a few months. There are many benefits to placing your orchids outdoors:

  1. Rainwater is a superior form of water for your orchids or any houseplants. And besides this…
  2. The air circulation is very beneficial for plant growth.
  3. The natural temperature drop in the evening often triggers more blooming. Don’t allow your plants to be outside if there are extended periods below 55F (13C). They do not like cold temperatures.

Most of my orchids are growing in clear plastic pots with drainage holes that are slipped into ceramic, decorative containers with no drainage hole. After a good rain, if your decorative pots have no drainage holes, water will accumulate and you’ll have to empty it out.

How do you know when to water your orchid?

Moth orchids do not like to go completely dry. If your potting media has gone completely dry, go ahead and water immediately otherwise your plant will start to suffer.

Why you should not use ice to water your orchids

The natural habitat of most Phalaenopsis orchids is warm and tropical so ice makes no sense.

In fact, if ice that comes in contact with an orchid’s roots they’ll quickly become damaged. There are several reasons why this can be dangerous, and I’ve written a detailed blog post that described why you shouldn’t water orchids with ice.

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