Feeding and Watering Your Orchid
Should I use distilled water to mix my orchid food, or can I use tap water?
Tap water from your city should be safe for mixing orchid food – as long as it has not been treated by a water softener.
Is it best to use a mister or to water my orchids with a hose or watering can?
It is best to use a hose or watering can when watering your orchids because you need to get the orchid’s roots completely wet. Just be sure to not leave standing water in the orchid’s pot.
Where should I apply water to my orchid – the roots, the leaves, or both?
It is best to apply water to the roots, but an occasional watering of the entire plant will help to keep dust buildup off your leaves. Also, when feeding, it is a good idea to mist the leaves as some micro-nutrients are absorbed through the leaf.
Is the water that is sitting in the orchid pot’s saucer bad for my orchid?
Yes, it is recommended that water remaining in the saucer or pot after watering be poured off.
I’ve seen orchid potting mixes on the market that have the orchid plant food mixed in. How does this work differently than other plant foods?
The plant food that is mixed in is a timed release plant food, meaning that it is designed to release a small amount of plant food over an extended period of time. How quickly this plant food releases can vary greatly depending on the temperature – which could cause problems in some situations. Also, it is important to know how long this plant food is designed to last (120 days, 180 days, etc.).
Can I use an extended release orchid food and a water soluble orchid food together?
Technically yes, however, for the home grower it is generally not necessary. Applying too much plant food at one time could burn the roots of your orchid and cause other problems.
How should I use Better-Bloom with an extended release plant food?
Again, it is not generally necessary for the home grower. However, if you are using both, cut the soluble plant food strength in half.
I do a lot of composting, and it seems to work well with many of my plants. Can I use my compost on orchids?
It is acceptable for terrestrial varieties (see information in “About Orchids” above) but may keep the epiphytic types too wet in the root area.
Should I use distilled water to mix my orchid food, or can I use tap water?
Tap water from your city should be safe for mixing orchid food – as long as it has not been treated by a water softener.
Is it best to use a mister or to water my orchids with a hose or watering can?
It is best to use a hose or watering can when watering your orchids because you need to get the orchid’s roots completely wet. Just be sure to not leave standing water in the orchid’s pot.
Where should I apply water to my orchid – the roots, the leaves, or both?
It is best to apply water to the roots, but an occasional watering of the entire plant will help to keep dust buildup off your leaves. Also, when feeding, it is a good idea to mist the leaves as some micro-nutrients are absorbed through the leaf.
Is the water that is sitting in the orchid pot’s saucer bad for my orchid?
Yes, it is recommended that water remaining in the saucer or pot after watering be poured off.
I’ve seen orchid potting mixes on the market that have the orchid plant food mixed in. How does this work differently than other plant foods?
The plant food that is mixed in is a timed release plant food, meaning that it is designed to release a small amount of plant food over an extended period of time. How quickly this plant food releases can vary greatly depending on the temperature – which could cause problems in some situations. Also, it is important to know how long this plant food is designed to last (120 days, 180 days, etc.).
Can I use an extended release orchid food and a water soluble orchid food together?
Technically yes, however, for the home grower it is generally not necessary. Applying too much plant food at one time could burn the roots of your orchid and cause other problems.
How should I use Better-Bloom with an extended release plant food?
Again, it is not generally necessary for the home grower. However, if you are using both, cut the soluble plant food strength in half.
I do a lot of composting, and it seems to work well with many of my plants. Can I use my compost on orchids?
It is acceptable for terrestrial varieties (see information in “About Orchids” above) but may keep the epiphytic types too wet in the root area.