How to properly water a Phalaenopsis orchid at home: tips

Today, the variety of flowers is incredibly wide, but despite this, the Phalaenopsis orchid will not leave anyone indifferent. However, to ensure it remains pleasing to the eye and always healthy and beautiful, you need to know how to properly water it. These flowers are very delicate, so proper watering is the key to their beauty.

How to properly water phalaenopsis at home

Watering is vital for any flower. Every flower is unique, and therefore, their needs vary. For example, the phalaenopsis, although a tropical plant, doesn't require frequent watering. Sometimes, it's better to let the roots dry out rather than constantly moisten them. If the soil is constantly wet, the roots will rot and die. There are many ways to water phalaenopsis at home; the main thing is to remember and follow the basic rules. And the rules are simple: don't overwater, let the roots and the substrate dry out.

How to water phalaenopsis during flowering

As soon as buds appear on the phalaenopsis, watering should be increased. This is because drying out occurs more quickly at this time. During flowering, the soil should be kept constantly moist. Also important during flowering is air penetration to the roots. To achieve this, make sure there are gaps in the substrate. This can be better controlled by choosing glass containers for the phalaenopsis.

Timing and timing of watering

To prevent the flower from wilting, water it only when the roots and substrate are dry. This rule shouldn't be neglected. Allowing the plant to dry for a few days won't harm it. This is better than overwatering and allowing the roots to rot.

When watering, take environmental factors into account. If it's sunny outside, the plants will naturally dry out faster than on a cloudy or rainy day.

The most important thing to remember is that keeping a phalaenopsis in a damp substrate for a long time will lead to its death. If the substrate doesn't dry out for a long time, it's recommended to replace it with a coarser one.

When answering the question: "How often should I water a Phalaenopsis orchid?", it's worth noting that during hot periods, it should be watered about three times a week, while in autumn and winter, once every seven days is sufficient. However, this watering schedule is not a rigid guide. It's important to consider all the conditions and climate in which the plant is grown.

Now that we understand how to water phalaenopsis at home, let's move on to considering watering methods.

Watering methods

When it comes to watering phalaenopsis, or rather, its methods, there are two main approaches. The first involves immersing the plant pot in water, while the second involves watering with a watering can.

The first method is good for watering non-flowering plants. To use this method, you'll need a basin or bowl into which to place the plant's pot. The bowl or basin should be filled with water. This watering should last about 30 minutes if the soil is well-dried and it's summer. If the weather is damp and rainy, or if it's winter, 5-15 minutes will be sufficient. After watering, remove the phalaenopsis pot and allow the excess water to drain.

If the phalaenopsis is blooming, it's best to water it with a watering can. You'll need a container large enough to accommodate the plant itself.

What kind of water is suitable for watering phalaenopsis?

Watering is very important for phalaenopsis, but in addition to how and when to water the plant, you also need to know what kind of water to use.

Tap water isn't suitable because it typically contains a variety of unwanted impurities and rust. Distilled water can be used, but it's important to remember that it lacks essential micronutrients for plants. Therefore, if you use distilled water for irrigation, consider adding fertilizer.

Filtered and boiled water is also suitable for watering. This water will be softer than tap water and will not contain harmful components.

If you use hard water for watering, the roots will become covered with a white coating that needs to be washed off. This can be removed with kefir or lemon juice mixed with water.

Also, water for irrigation must be oxygenated. To saturate the water with oxygen, it must be poured from one container to another.

Another important factor when watering is water temperature. It should be room temperature or a few degrees warmer. It's important to remember not to water phalaenopsis with cold water.

What happens if you don't water a phalaenopsis?

Although phalaenopsis doesn't require frequent watering, it's important not to forget about it. If you don't water the plant at all, the leaves will gradually wilt and fall off completely. The roots will dry out. After this, the flower can't be saved. Therefore, watering is essential. The main thing is to follow all the rules and not overdo it.

Reviews

Victoria, 26 years old

I love this flower very much. At first, I made mistakes caring for it, and it didn't really please me with its beauty. I had to do a lot of research on watering phalaenopsis. Today, my flower is beautiful and full of vigor. I want to share my recommendations with everyone. First, I water the flower before lunch. This way, the substrate has time to dry by evening. Second, after watering, I wipe away any excess water from the leaves. And the most important thing is that the water should be warm and soft. As you can see, there's nothing complicated about it; the main thing is to want to grow a beautiful flower, and then everything will work out.

Anna, 32 years old

I was recently given an orchid. After reading that you shouldn't water it more than once a week in winter, I started doing so. But it turned out that wasn't enough. My orchid started wilting. Then I came across an article that suggested that if your apartment has independent heating and it's warm enough, you should water the plant a little more frequently. Now, my orchid is doing well. I wrote this review so people understand that the watering schedules given may be inaccurate. Everything depends on the room temperature, the lighting, and the orchid's location. Keep this in mind.

https://youtu.be/rUbexXA8eJw

Ekaterina, 38 years old

Something bad happened to my plant. Later, after browsing various forums, I realized it was swelling on the leaves. It turns out this could be due to overwatering. I was watering it twice a week. The room temperature was around 20 degrees Celsius. It turns out that if the room temperature is below 22 degrees Celsius, you should water less frequently. Frequent watering can lead not only to swelling but also to leaf and root rot. A similar problem occurs at high room temperatures. So, if the room temperature is above 30 degrees Celsius, you shouldn't water the plant too often. The consequences can be equally dire. My plant couldn't be saved, so I hope other owners of this plant don't make the same mistakes I did, as the phalaenopsis is very beautiful and unique.