Hi! This is my first ever orchid and I have some confusion…Planta says they do not require frequent watering, yet it’s telling me to water twice per week…so which is it?! 😅 hoping to keep this baby alive and well for as long as possible. Thanks!
I always water when I notice their roots are looking silver/grey. It’s easy to tell when they need water with a clear pot and good drainage. Make sure you soak her throughout until the roots become green. Hope that helps :)
2 Likes It came in a plastic pot like this that sits inside the ceramic one (drainage hole at the bottom). How exactly would I tell that in this? I can’t really see the roots, I don’t think
Yea you’re right, it’s kinda hard to see, maybe consider getting new one ? This is what mine looks like! As you can see, they’re green because I watered her yesterday. But it’s super easy to tell when she needs water you will see them turn silver
Yeah that’s definitely easier to tell. It was a gift from a friend so it came like this. It seems to be planted in moss? And I don’t know that I should repot her so soon?
0 Likes I mean you don’t necessarily need to go up in size if you do report her. I just personally think it helps to maintain the orchid 😅 I actually don’t have any plants in moss so I’m not too familiar on checking moisture for that.
0 Likes Gotcha. Thanks for the advice! :)
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I have several phalaenopsis orchids and for years struggled with knowing if they were getting enough or too much water. 2 years ago I removed them from their potting medium and just set them on top of it. I keep the medium wet only to about 1 inch below the roots to allow for moisture evaporation to help humidity levels and just mist the roots once a day. I’m guessing a lot of people would think that makes too much work but for the first time ever, I am getting new flower spikes.
So interesting, thanks for sharing! What kind of medium do you have yours in?
0 Likes I use regular orchid potting medium.
The orchid just sits on top of it and I most the roots once a day
Btw…that particular plant was the same size as the one you posted 12 months ago. It can in a 3 inch wide pot. The current pot is 5” and I need to find a new home for him again.
2 Likes Wow that is amazing! Hoping for your same good fortune! 🤞🏼
0 Likes Get a good orchid fertilizer. I found the easiest way to feed mine is just fill a clean sink with water and appropriate amount of plant food (I do 1/2 strength) and let the plants soak for about 10 minutes. Then return them to their pots. I have a Vanda orchid (see profile photo) that gets the same treatment (which is what gave me the idea to try bare roots in the first place).
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**Make sure you check if your new orchid has a greenhouse plug! It’s basically this cone shaped, densely packed substrate that is used to keep the orchid roots hydrated during transit. It can get pretty nasty with mold & will suffocate the roots over time if you don’t remove it
2 Likes Oh shucks, good to know, thank you!!
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