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SEABREEZE EDUCATION
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Care Unit)
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Variegated Palms 101
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ORCHIDS
How to Care For Orchids
Watering Orchids
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Watering Orchids
Overview
Orchids are air
plants. They will grow an extensive root system when growing on a
tree or in a container. Each of these roots act like little sponges
that soak up moisture from the air and rainwater that falls on them.
Orchids come mostly from trees in the rainforests of Central and South
America where the roots do not have the luxury of growing into the moist
ground. While there is a lot of rainfall in these areas, the orchids
soak up minimal amount of water because they are growing on bark which the
water simply runs off of.
Incorrect Method
Most people water
orchids by spraying them with a hose or spray bottle every so often.
The problem with this is that the water quickly evaporates and the roots
are only able to absorb a small amount of moisture. You can spray an
orchid's roots more often, but this can sometimes affect the flowering
cycle and lead to rot (except for Vanda
orchids which require daily watering). In the rainforest, most
orchids are used to drying out in the days following a rain. They
actually prefer to be slightly dry most of the time.
Correct Method to Water Orchids
The best way to water
your orchids (all except Vandas) is to soak the spongy roots in water for
a short period of time, allowing them to become fully saturated.
Here's how it works:
1) Find a clean bucket
that your orchid will fit into. Add any orchid food that you are
planning to use to the bucket (use the smallest recommend concentration).
2) Place the bucket
into a large sink in your kitchen or garage. If your sink isn't
large enough, use your bathtub. Then carefully drop the orchid into
the empty bucket.
3) Fill the bucket
with luke-warm water until the water level reaches the base of the orchid
(at the top of the root ball). Allow the orchid's roots to soak for
20-30 minutes. Then remove the orchid and allow excess water to
drain into the sink.
Your orchid should be
good indoors or out for about 10 days. So, you only need to worry
about it three times a month! The rest of the time, enjoy...
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