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The Top 10 Types of Exotic Flowers
Eleanora E. Tate, author of eleven children’s and young adult books, has been an author in schools, libraries, on university campuses and at literature conferences around the country (and in Canada and Bermuda) for over 40 years. She’s on the faculty of Hamline University’s Masters degree seeking low-residency program “Creative Writing for Children andYoung Adults.” She taught children’s literature at North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC and has been an instructor with the Institute of Children’s Literature at West Redding, CT.
Orchid Watering Myth
Submerging
Most orchids will live in a clear container with a potting medium such as soil and bark. This will then sit inside a holding pot like the one pictured.
Using distilled or recently boiled and cooled tap water, fill the clear orchid pot and holding pot so that the orchid roots are fully submerged.
Do not fill above this point - fill just under the crown of the orchid and leave the orchid to soak
After 10-15 minutes remove the orchid from the water and allow it to drain for 5 minutes. Pour the remaining water out of your holding pot.
Once the orchid has drained away the excess water, pop it back inside the holding pot and return it to its home.
How often?
Depending on where the orchid is placed and the time of year, submerge it once a week.
Icecubes
Yes, that's right. Ice cubes straight from a small/medium sized ice cube tray are a great way to water orchids. 'Why would you use ice cubes?' we hear you ask. Well using ice cubes will...
How Often Should You Water with Ice Cubes?
Depending on the season and where the orchid is kept, pop one cube twice a week on top of the potting medium underneath the leaves.
Be mindful to ensure no water is left standing in the pot and if possible, remove any excess water if you notice any water pooling on the orchid. You can also tell that there is too much water if the pot has become very heavy and sloshes when you tilt it.
Pouring
If submerging or ice cubing isn't your thing or if the orchid can't be removed from its pot, you can try the pouring method.
Simple pouring is still fine to water orchids. If the orchid cannot be removed from its larger pot, be mindful that it may not have any drainage holes.
In this case, water sparingly as orchids will suffer when they are standing in pooled water. Also, make sure the water is not poured directly onto the plant and is poured into the roots underneath the leaves at the base.
Avoid getting water into the crevices of the leaves. If this happens, grab a towel and dab any excess moisture away to prevent rot.
How Often?
Depending on seasonality and where your plant is situated, adding ¼ glass of distilled or boiled and cooled tap water every week is suitable.
