---
title: "So I have my orchid living in water and it’s been thriving but all of…"
description: "So I have my orchid living in water and it’s been thriving but all of the sudden some stems are dying. I giving it orchid food and the right amount of…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/JmTUi1iSQr6-tX35luAMXQ/Z8hUTNg6QkyOBs_Cip0DcA"
community: "The Orchid Oasis"
author: "K"
published: "2024-07-01T15:55:11.522187Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v2/cloudinary/global_data/communities/theOrchidOasis.jpg"
---

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# So I have my orchid living in water and it’s been thriving but all of…

_Posted by K on 2024-07-01_

So I have my orchid living in water and it’s been thriving but all of the sudden some stems are dying. I giving it orchid food and the right amount of sunlight. What do I do???

## 9 comments

### Jen commented on 2024-07-01

By stems, do you mean the flower spikes, or the stem of the plant, like the central axis of the plant where the leaves and roots grow from? How long have you had this orchid? Has it always been grown in water culture? How long has it been in bloom? How are the roots?

#### K replied on 2024-07-01

The stem of the plant. I’ve had it for about two months. And it used to grow in orchid bark when I bought it but it was doing bad then and it’s been in bloom ever since I bought it so two months and the roots have been fine until recently they started dying off and I was left with one root

#### Jen replied on 2024-07-02

I realize there are people that seem to have success with water culture, for a time. But it’s a slightly dangerous way to grow orchids. They are epiphytic plants. In nature, they do not grow in water, ever. Their roots need air as much as they need water and it’s essential that they dry between waterings. That’s why they are generally potted in bark and sphagnum moss. It allows for moisture with pockets of air. Too much moisture will inevitably cause root rot. If the actual stem of the plant is starting to darken and decay, it probably indicates that the bacteria from the mushy roots has travelled to the base of the plant, and you have stem rot. Hard to say without seeing it- but it’s very common in water culture set ups.

#### K replied on 2024-07-06

Yeah the stem is dark. Is there any way to fix it?

#### Jen replied on 2024-07-07

Not to my knowledge. This is exactly the scenario that makes me advise against growing orchids in water culture. I’m sorry. If you happen to find something that works for your stem rot, please come back and let us know. Always looking to learn new things.

### Sharon commented on 2024-07-01

How often is your wet/dry schedule

#### K replied on 2024-07-01

I didn’t know there was one? Can you help me with that

#### Sharon replied on 2024-07-01

Do you keep it in water every day? And how much water?

#### Sharon replied on 2024-07-02

Generally, allowing orchids to have around 3-4 days a week to dry out will prevent root rot

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