How much water an orchid needs depends on many factors, but here are general guidelines to help optimize the health of your plant and coax it to flower.
Over Watering Orchids
Over watering is one of the surest ways to kill your orchid and is one of the most common mistakes of those new to orchid growing. Having a general rule of thumb for watering orchids can help the novice orchid grower avoid common watering mistakes.
Terrestrial Orchids and Epiphytes
In their native habitat, some types of orchids are terrestrial. They grow in the soil in patches of sunlight available at the edges of streams or in small clearings. However, within the rainforest, sunlight is literally a hot commodity, and little is available over most of the forest floor; so most orchids have innovated ways to develop additional sun-soaked real estate. They are called epiphytes, and perch high above the forest floor, using the trunks and branches of other plants for support. Based on these differences on growing strategy, orchids can be divided into two categories when it comes to watering.
Orchid Watering Tips Based on Growth Form
Epiphytic Orchids with Pseudobulbs or Fleshy Leaves
These types of orchids can store water within the fleshy bulbs that their leaves grow out of, or within leaves themselves if they are thick and succulent. When grown in the home, orchids of these growth forms can be allowed to almost dry out between waterings without being adversely affected. Example genera of this growth form include Oncidium and Vuylstekeara.
Orchids without Pseudobulbs or Succulent Leaves
These orchids, such as Paphiopedilums (Lady Slippers) or Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchids), should not be allowed to completely dry out between waterings. Water them when the growing medium is still slightly moist.
How Can I Tell If My Orchid Needs Water?
Although there are a lot of variables affecting how often an orchid needs water, there is a simple test you can do to see if the growing medium is dry. Even when the surface of your pot appears to be dried out, the root area may still be very moist. Poke your finger, or a regular wooden pencil, into the pot; if it feels moist to the touch or if the pencil looks moist, do not add water.
Orchid Cultivation
Any plant is more likely to thrive when the conditions of its natural environment are duplicated as closely as possible. This is certainly true of orchids, which have specific needs for humidity, temperature, air movement, growing medium and water. But don’t get overwhelmed, see the Suite101 Orchid Article Series for all the basics.
Additional Orchid and Gardening Information
If you are an orchid novice, start things off right by purchasing a healthy plant and a variety of orchid that is easy to grow. Supplement your knowledge with one of the many excellent books and web sites devoted to orchids, including the American Orchid Society (AOS).
To learn more about container gardening in general, see the Suite101 article Container or Backyard Gardening.
