Growing an exotic, beautiful orchid at home is not an easy task, requiring knowledge and skills.
If you managed to make the orchid bloom, then you need to know how to water the plant correctly.
It happens that mistakes in care will cause the orchid to become capricious and shed its flowers.
How to water an orchid correctly
It is not easy to determine the exact timing of watering the plant, since the substrate dries unevenly.
At first, moisture will evaporate from the top and middle layers.
In summer, the bottom layer will remain wet longer, while in winter, on the contrary, the bottom layer dries out faster.
Signs that it's time to water:
- no condensation drops on the walls of the pot;
- the roots of the plant changed color to light gray;
- the pot with the plant became lighter.
A blooming orchid will react sharply to a lack of moisture, but its excess will also destroy the flower.
During the flowering period, the leaves and stems require more moisture and, accordingly, you will have to increase watering.
However, do not overdo it, so that water does not stagnate in the substrate. The orchid will quickly shed its flowers and may rot if there is too much water in the pot.
During the flowering period, orchids are watered 2 times in 7 days, in hot weather – 3 times in 7 days. Potassium preparations are used for watering, and during the formation of buds, potassium and phosphorus solutions can be used. The manufacturer specifies the dosage and use.
