subject: A Little Geography Can Give Us Clues To Watering Orchids The Right Way [print this page] The secret to knowing how to water orchids is to know a little about where they originally came from. You may be asking, "What does that have to do with it?" Well, consider this: if you were asked to take care of someone who was from some other country, wouldn't you want to know a little about the environment and culture of where that person came from? Knowing this would certainly help that person feel more at home and adjust more easily to their new environment.
Okay, I know that orchids and people are quite different, two totally different species to say the least, but nonetheless there is some degree of similarity. The vast majority of orchids are indigenous to tropical climates. That's what makes them so special and so exotic. But tropical climates are considerably different than other locations in the world. Therefore, understanding the climate and environment of a tropical location will help you understand the unique way in which orchids get hydrated.
So here's a very short geography lesson. Tropical climates, as you well know, are warm, humid, and get plenty of rain. When it rains, it pours. So that tells you that orchids need lots of water, they need to be warm, and they thrive in environments high in humidity. That was easy, but there is a bit more to it, however.
I mentioned that tropical climates get lots of rain; well, they do, but not every day. It may pour cats and dogs one day, and be dry for another week before it rains again. Well, this is how orchids like it. They don't want you to just sprinkle a little water on them every so often. Rather, they like to be soaked to the root. So soak them until the water starts coming out of the bottom of the planting pot. Make sure you only buy pots that will provide sufficient drainage.
So your orchids are soaked, now what? Let them dry out before watering again. Consider the tropical environment. It pours one day, but then is dry for several more. But even though it may not rain for several days, the bark in which the orchid grows retains moisture for many days after a big rainfall. So how do you know when to give your orchids that next big soak? Here's a simple tip.
Place a pencil a little ways into the bark-soil content (not too deep or you may damage the root), and then see if there is any transfer of moisture onto the pencil. If not, then it's time to give your orchids a drink and to simulate that big torrential rainfall they love so much.
"But, Simon, it's summer here and I couldn't tolerate a warm, humid climate in my house!" Well, you will have to find a spot for them, perhaps in another room that doesn't get air-conditioned. Here's another tip. If you like to keep your orchids in your living room, yet keep it somewhat dry for your own comfort, consider placing the orchid pot on top of a saucer or bowl filled with pebbles and water. That way you'll be isolating the humidity to within arm's reach of the orchid's roots, but not to the entire room.
