Everyone, even the expert of orchids will tell you that watering of orchids is a delicate business. Actually, it is a controversial question because there is no the only Right Way, which you can apply.
One kind of orchids needs to be dry out between watering, another one needs to be in a constant wet mixture, and the other one asks about moderate condition.
Introduction to Orchids >>>
That's why, purchasing an every plant you should carefully examine its requirements.
There are different ways for watering orchids. When I had just a few of them I watered them by putting pots in a bigger one with warm water approximately for 40 -60 minutes.
There is a picture of a very thirsty Oncidium x Odontoglossum.
And the picture of a happy plant.
If you have 30 orchids and more, of course this way of watering will not work. It would take hours to water all of them. Therefore, a regular watering and spraying is fine.
Watering your plants takes in consideration not only requirements of certain plant but the general temperature, humidity,ventilation and light that you can provide. High level of humidity and temperature without proper ventilation can lead root problems. Ventilation helps an Orchid's roots more than you'd think, so providing air to the roots is essential in orchid growing and prevents rot and mold. So, How often you should water your orchids? The answer is: just check the condition of an orchid mix in every single pot by your fingers, and taking the requirement of plant into account water them.
Buy the way, on this website I found a very important information about a PH level of water for orchids.
Influence of PH on nutrient availability.
So far we discussed fertilizers, the proper dosage of fertilizers and proper watering, but giving the proper fertilizer in the proper dosage is only part of the issue. We need to make sure the nutrients are made available for the plants to use.
Nutrient availability to plants is affected by PH levels. Availability of the trace element Manganese is mostly available between a PH level of 4.0 to 5.5. Boron between a level PH of 4.5 to 6.0.
The above shows that most nutrients are available at their optimal level between a PH level of 5.0 to 6.0.
An article in the fall 1997 issue of Greenhouse Grower, although not about orchids, states: “When the PH of the media is too high, micronutrient deficiencies can be a problem. If the PH is too low, micronutrients become more available and can lead to micronutrients toxicity in some crops.”
Even if we started with water with an acceptable PH, the PH will change, up or down, depending on the additives (fertilizer, root solution, ....) we used. So, after we added all additives, we must adjust our PH to a level that will make these nutrients and other additives available for the plants to use.
Most orchid sources recommend a PH between 5.5 and 6.5 for orchids and that’s what we aim at after adding nutrients and / or other additives ( i.e. Zerotol, Protekt,...).
How to adjust the PH of your watering solution
First of course you have to have a way to measure the PH of the water. This is done with a PH meter which you immerse into the (well) stirred water containing all your additives. A PH meter costs from about $ 65 to over $ 100.
Two products are available for PH adjustment from Growth Products in White Plains, NY (800-648-7626). PH booster (0-0-25 liquid potassium) raises the PH while Citric Acid Solution reduces the PH. Go slow ! a few drops in a gallon can make quite a difference !
The final word about fertilizing
The final word about fertilizers is from Rebecca Tyson Northen in her book Home orchid growing :
“After trying several (fertilizers) on your own plants, you yourself may come to have a preference for a certain one. This is good. Is shows that all is in rapport between you and your plants.”
http://roseg4art.com/Growing-tips/importance_of_ph_to_orchid_growth.htm
"Many years ago, Ralph Wasdon, was known as one of the best orchid growers in Eastern North Carolina. He was noted for using only K-Mart generic fertilizer, one of the cheapest around. Other growers, noting his technique tried to duplicate his growth without success. Ralph knew nothing of pH, but by trial and error had found the right combination of growing medium, which combined with his water source and fertilizer provided an almost perfect pH balance for the absorption of nutrients. He used very dilute solutions of fertilizer, but his perfect 6.2 pH was ideal for nutrient uptake."
Thank you for using the block buttons "Share" and +1.
One kind of orchids needs to be dry out between watering, another one needs to be in a constant wet mixture, and the other one asks about moderate condition.
Introduction to Orchids >>>
That's why, purchasing an every plant you should carefully examine its requirements.
There are different ways for watering orchids. When I had just a few of them I watered them by putting pots in a bigger one with warm water approximately for 40 -60 minutes.
There is a picture of a very thirsty Oncidium x Odontoglossum.
And the picture of a happy plant.
Watering your plants takes in consideration not only requirements of certain plant but the general temperature, humidity,ventilation and light that you can provide. High level of humidity and temperature without proper ventilation can lead root problems. Ventilation helps an Orchid's roots more than you'd think, so providing air to the roots is essential in orchid growing and prevents rot and mold. So, How often you should water your orchids? The answer is: just check the condition of an orchid mix in every single pot by your fingers, and taking the requirement of plant into account water them.
Buy the way, on this website I found a very important information about a PH level of water for orchids.
Influence of PH on nutrient availability.
So far we discussed fertilizers, the proper dosage of fertilizers and proper watering, but giving the proper fertilizer in the proper dosage is only part of the issue. We need to make sure the nutrients are made available for the plants to use.
Nutrient availability to plants is affected by PH levels. Availability of the trace element Manganese is mostly available between a PH level of 4.0 to 5.5. Boron between a level PH of 4.5 to 6.0.
The above shows that most nutrients are available at their optimal level between a PH level of 5.0 to 6.0.
An article in the fall 1997 issue of Greenhouse Grower, although not about orchids, states: “When the PH of the media is too high, micronutrient deficiencies can be a problem. If the PH is too low, micronutrients become more available and can lead to micronutrients toxicity in some crops.”
Even if we started with water with an acceptable PH, the PH will change, up or down, depending on the additives (fertilizer, root solution, ....) we used. So, after we added all additives, we must adjust our PH to a level that will make these nutrients and other additives available for the plants to use.
Most orchid sources recommend a PH between 5.5 and 6.5 for orchids and that’s what we aim at after adding nutrients and / or other additives ( i.e. Zerotol, Protekt,...).
How to adjust the PH of your watering solution
First of course you have to have a way to measure the PH of the water. This is done with a PH meter which you immerse into the (well) stirred water containing all your additives. A PH meter costs from about $ 65 to over $ 100.
Two products are available for PH adjustment from Growth Products in White Plains, NY (800-648-7626). PH booster (0-0-25 liquid potassium) raises the PH while Citric Acid Solution reduces the PH. Go slow ! a few drops in a gallon can make quite a difference !
The final word about fertilizing
The final word about fertilizers is from Rebecca Tyson Northen in her book Home orchid growing :
“After trying several (fertilizers) on your own plants, you yourself may come to have a preference for a certain one. This is good. Is shows that all is in rapport between you and your plants.”
http://roseg4art.com/Growing-tips/importance_of_ph_to_orchid_growth.htm
"Many years ago, Ralph Wasdon, was known as one of the best orchid growers in Eastern North Carolina. He was noted for using only K-Mart generic fertilizer, one of the cheapest around. Other growers, noting his technique tried to duplicate his growth without success. Ralph knew nothing of pH, but by trial and error had found the right combination of growing medium, which combined with his water source and fertilizer provided an almost perfect pH balance for the absorption of nutrients. He used very dilute solutions of fertilizer, but his perfect 6.2 pH was ideal for nutrient uptake."
Thank you for using the block buttons "Share" and +1.
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