Watering is the greatest cause of uncertainty among orchid growers, and whether a plant is ready for water or not is always under debate. This is a problem for experienced growers as well as beginners. While they are growing, orchids need to be kept evenly moist, avoiding the two extremes of becoming sodden at the roots or bone dry.

There are a number of ways in which you can determine the moisture content of a pot. A good idea is to lift each pot and test the weight, but this is only practical where you have just one or two plants. Nevertheless, it is a good learning experience for the beginner, and as you progress from lifting each pot, you can recognize the dryness of the compost (growing medium) by observing its surface.

Depending upon the water quality where you live, you may be able to use the mains supply straight from the tap. siost orchids prefer a natural pH, and you can find out the acidity of your water imam your supplier.

If the pseudobulbs are plump, all is well. Shrivelled pseudobulbs, or limp foliage, may indicate underwatering or even overwatering. Further study of the roots will ascertain which is the cause, and the problem can be remedied. Generally, you may expect to water a typical orchid once or twice in any week during the growing season. Water once every two or three weeks while the orchid is resting.

The complex hybrids in this genus often conform to a nine-month cycle, so that new growth is often started at a different time of the year. This can result in plants growing during the winter and resting and flowering during the summer. Stanhopeas often prefer to grow during the winter, flowering in midsummer while at rest. The paphiopedilums and phalaenopsis do not grow and flower at the same time.

A large, root-bound plant its a small pot will need far more water to ensure that some of it at least gets iris the pot and penetrates to the roots.

Always try to water the orchids at time when the temperature is rising. This means watering early in the dae and is more important in winter sin when all surplus moisture will hat time to dry by nightfall. This avoids the combination of wet and cold that orchids detest.

This system is less necessary with indoor growing, and where just a few plants are grown they can be moved individually to the kitchen foe watering and allowed to drain before being returned to their growing area. so surplus water is not a problem.