Beautiful orchid will decorate any window sill. But you need to properly care for her. In this article you will learn how to water a flower at home so that the plant has lived with you for a long time.
- How to water the orchids: water preparation
- Filtered water
- Distilled water
- Boiled water
- Rainwater
- Rules for watering orchids at home
- Watering during flowering
- Watering after flowering
- How to water a flower
- Watering of watering can
- Spraying
- Dive
- Watering from the tap
How to water the orchids: water preparation
Urban water may be acceptable for any other plants, but not for orchids. Under natural conditions, the plant receives water without mineral salts. Plain water contains calcium salts, which, when watered, settle on the root system. This makes it difficult for nutrients to access the roots. Below we will talk about what kind of water is better to water the plant.
Filtered water
As mentioned earlier, in tap water there is a lot of salt, bacteria and various impurities that harm the roots of orchids. Therefore, water for irrigation needs filter using drinking filters. This will help remove impurities and salts.
Distilled water
Distilled water is not used in its pure form, as it is considered dead, and you should know that it is impossible to water the plants. Therefore, it should be diluted with ordinary water (1 part tap water and 2 parts distilled). This watering has both advantages and disadvantages.
The advantage is that you can adjust the amount of salts. The only drawback - you will need to constantly buy it.
Boiled water
Watering at home can be boiled water. When boiling water "softens". It works well on the root system of the flower and does not harm the plant. The advantage of such irrigation is that it is easy to collect and prepare such water.
Rainwater
If you live in the city, then this watering will not work for you. It may contain a lot of harmful gases and dust that are present in the urban air.
However, if you have the opportunity to travel outside the city, then you can apply this watering.
Collect rainwater in a clean container and store it in a dark, cool place. This prevents bacteria from multiplying in it.
Rules for watering orchids at home
After buying this wonderful flower, many wonder how and when to water the orchid. And we have an answer to that.
Watering during flowering
There are several recommendations on how to water blooming orchid:
- In winter, when the plant releases its flowers, it is necessary to water the substrate twice a week;
- In the summer, when orchid buds are just blooming, you need to increase watering every three days;
- Water should be defended with warm water;
- Take breaks between watering to allow the substrate to dry completely.
For questions on how to water the orchid and how often it should be done, you will find out below.
Watering after flowering
After the last petal disappears, it is necessary to water the flower according to another system. In any case, the question arises - how many times do I need to water the orchid after flowering? Watering an orchid should be no more than twice a month. The number of irrigations should be temporarily reduced and alternated with drying.
In order for the plant to get better quickly after flowering, special liquid fertilizers can be added to the water. They will contribute to the development of new leaves and root system.
How to water a flower
We now turn to the question of how to properly water the orchid and what are the methods of watering, because most often the plant dies due to waterlogging. It can be watered with a watering can, dipping, spraying and under a faucet.
Watering of watering can
Watering from watering cans is the easiest way. To do this, you need to filter the soft water and gently water it over the edge of the pot until water appears on the pan. In the future, the orchid will absorb moisture from there.
In any case, the question arises - how often do you need to water the flower in this way.
You need to know that the roots do not have time to absorb water evenly. The remains of moisture in the pan will be the source only for the lower part of the root system, and the top will be exhausted from thirst, shrink and die. Therefore, you need to keep an eye on the upper roots too and, if possible, add some water.
Spraying
Watering in the form of spraying is often used by many florists. This is a fairly simple process, but the question arises whether to spray the plant. Our answer is obviously what is needed, especially in summer. You can spray every day at a distance of 25 cm from the spray. This method is better than watering from a watering can, since moisture evenly gets on the substrate, leaves and root system.
In winter, there is no need to spray the plant, as this may cause overcooling of the flower.
In the summer, before spraying, it is better to move the orchid to another location, since direct rays can cause burns.
Dive
The next way - immersion in water.To do this, you need to pour in a bowl of distilled water at room temperature and immerse there a pot with a flower.
The question arises - is it possible to keep an orchid in water for so long? Of course, you can, the main thing - do not overdo it and just pull out the plant. If you perederzhite, then the leaves will swell. This is due to an overabundance of moisture.
After watering, you need to give time to the plant to allow the remaining water to drain. Then the pot with a flower can be put on a permanent place.
In the hot summer, this procedure can be carried out a couple of times a week.
Watering from the tap
Watering orchids under the shower is often used by many florists. With it, you can wash away the dust. But you need to know that the shower is not suitable for all kinds.
Orchids such as hybrid cambria, miltonia and "shoes" do not tolerate the soul.
You also need to take into account the fact that the water temperature should not be above 40 ° C, if you do not want to cook an orchid.
After the shower, you need to blot with a paper napkin the places where water could get into, namely the center of the growth point and the leaf sinuses.
The question arises how often it is necessary to water an orchid in a pot with the help of a shower, - it is better to do it once every two weeks.
It is important to know that there are contraindications for such irrigation. It is better not to arrange hot showers for orchids that are at rest. This may adversely affect the development of new buds. As a rule, the dormant period falls in the autumn-winter.
Now that you know how often you need to water the orchid and what kind of water you need to do, you can safely grow this flower at home.