Orchid: Express shares tips for watering plant
Orchids are popular houseplants, with long-lasting colourful blooms which add colour to any room of the home.
They can be tricky to look after, especially if owners are trying to achieve a period or re-bloom.
The experts at Baby Bio explained: “Watering your orchid correctly is vital to keeping it happy and healthy.
“Orchids are susceptible to root rot, so it will eventually die if it’s allowed to sit in wet potting mix. Likewise, roots may shrivel and dry out if conditions are too dry.
“In winter, watering once every 10 days is usually enough to keep it thriving, but it’s always best to check the dampness of the compost before watering to ensure you aren’t overwatering it.
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“Ideally, you’ll want to water it when the potting mix is almost dry, but not completely.”
During the colder months of the year, Britons can also mist their orchids to increase humidity as central heating can cause dry air within the homes.
This makes it harder for the orchid to thrive but don’t mist too much, as too much can lead to mould, fungus and leaf rot.
The experts continued: “You can tell if your orchid is over or underwatered by looking at the roots – if they appear soft and brown, this is a sign that they have been sat in the water and not been able to effectively drain, causing root rot.
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“If they appear dry and shrivelled, this could indicate that they haven’t had enough water over a period of time.
“Healthy roots will be firm, plump and white. Another easy way to tell is by inspecting the leaves.
“Limp or yellow leaves are often a sign of overwatering, while wilted or winkled leaves suggest the orchid needs more water.”
Experts often recommend using filtered water to hydrate houseplants to avoid root rot, but tap water can be used on orchids.
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It is the temperature of the water which is extremely important, according to the houseplant experts. They said: “Most orchids are native to areas in Southeast Asia, and are therefore acclimatised to warm, tropical rains.
“We recommend traditional watering from above using tepid, as opposed to using ice cubes or cold water, as cold temperatures can shock the roots to prevent healthy growth.
“If your orchid is potted in a grow pot, you can also water by filling the outer container with tepid water so that the whole compost in the pot is covered.
“Leave to drain for another hour to avoid it sitting in water, then put the water to one side, as this can be used to water your other houseplants. Once your orchid has completely drained off, replace the inner pot with the outer decorative pot.”
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