Etowah Orchids Greenhouse

How to Properly Water and Feed Orchids

Among experienced and very successful orchid growers the exact method and "routine" may vary, but all agree that proper watering and feeding is very important to success.

We recommend that you DON’T KEEP orchid roots WET. That does not mean that you should not thoroughly wet the roots and potting medium. It simply means Don’t Keep them Wet. The admonition is often given to not "over water". Some newcomers to orchids interpret this as desert dry... WRONG. Others may interpret this to mean give them a little water every time they pass by the plant....WRONG again.

Most orchids, including Phalaenopsis, Cattleyas, and Oncidiums are epiphytes (never parasites). They are found in nature on trees and sometimes on rocks in tropical regions of the world. They may get a heavy fog or rain nearly every day, but they always get a chance for the roots to dry somewhat shortly after. You could grow most of these orchids without a pot and with literally nothing around the roots if you misted and watered at least once a day and fed them occasionally, but this is not practical for most growers.

Instead, we plant our orchids in pots filled with various mixes of potting materials that provide the plant with ample air around the roots and a supply of moisture and nutrition that lasts for days or sometimes a couple of weeks. The plants like this.

Water thoroughly, then let the pot get a little dry before you water again. This is the safe way to water. When the surface first seems dry there is still some moisture down in the pot and around the roots. Clear pots can help you see the moisture. Almost all orchid plant failures and death is attributable to keeping the roots wet. The result is fewer good roots and eventual root rot. Without enough good roots it can’t get enough water or nutrition. The unknowing keeper then gives even more water and carries out a death sentence for the plant.

Exactly how often to water will depend on the plant, the potting medium, the condition of the medium (old mix is slower to dry), humidity, temperature, etc. Many hobby growers have success by watering "Once a week... whether they need it or not". If you must have a schedule, this is probably safe for most orchids, but it may not be ideal. Remember, Don’t keep them wet! Have we made that point clear?

Some orchids, including most Paphiopediums / Phragmipedilums (tropical slipper orchids) and Cymbidiums are terrestrial or semi-terrestrial. They grow on the floor of the forest, sometimes around streams and rocks with decaying leaf matter. They need closer to constant moisture, but not constantly wet. Try to keep them a little moist between watering for best results.

Orchids need nutrition. They get it in nature from decaying matter, bird droppings, etc. They are usually grown in low nutrition substrates. They can survive for long periods without any additional nutrition, but will do much better and live longer when they are provided a nice balanced diet which can be provided by quality house plant fertilizer or even better by special formulas made with orchids in mind such as our Dyna-Plus Complete Orchid Nutrition which also contains vitamins. Don’t constantly use "Bloom" formulas. It can actually reduce the number and size of the blooms.

Follow the directions on the package, perhaps using a lower strength more often, almost every time you water. Never fertilize a dry plant. Water first, then pour in the diluted nutrition solution immediately after. This is a good practice for all plants. Use enough so that some runs out the bottom of the pot. We recommend that you water thoroughly without feeding about one out of four times to flush out any accumulation of fertilizer salts. Accumulated salts are bad for plants, so flush or leach them out occasionally.

Some people sit plants in a tub or bucket of water for a few minutes then in goes the next plant. This is not a good method. Instead, take the plant to the sink, water, then pour in some nutrition solution and let it drain briefly. Don’t re-use fertilizer solutions by catching it in a tub and saving it "for next time". Proper watering and nutrition for orchids is easy, inexpensive and wastes very little.