There are several ways you may be watering phalaenopsis orchids wrong. Exotic plants like, a phalaenopsis, require special love and care to thrive! Watering orchids wrong can be harmful to your plant. If you have a sick orchid, then one of the main reasons may be due to how you water your plant.
There are a number of signs that you may be watering orchids wrong. Orchids may develop fungal diseases, the roots may begin to rot and die, blooms and leaves may fall off. If you aren’t careful, you can kill your orchid if you water it wrong.
Watering a phalaenopsis orchid can be easy when you know the proper steps to take. You will surely have a beautiful, blooming orchid once you know how to water it!
In this blog post you will find information on different ways you may be watering phalaenopsis orchids wrong including information on:
- What a phalaenopsis orchid is
- Signs you may be watering your phalaenopsis orchid wrong
- How to properly water phalaenopsis orchids
- 9 ways you are watering phalaenopsis orchids wrong
- Techniques you can use to properly water your orchid
By the end of this blog post you will be an expert on knowing if you are watering your orchid wrong and ways you can improve your watering techniques!
Keep reading for more information!
FTC Disclosure: This website contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase any items, EverythingOrchid will receive a commission at no additional cost to you.
Table of Contents
What are Phalaenopsis Orchids?
Phalaenopsis orchids are 1 of 25,000 different species found throughout the planet. This orchid, often referred to as the “moth” orchid, is one of the most popular species owned by orchid and plant lovers alike.
Phalaenopsis orchids belong to the Orchidaceae family of plants and belonging to the genus Phalaenopsis. This type of orchid is a monopodial epiphyte. Monopodial epiphyte means that different parts of the orchid, including the stem, leaves, and shoots grow upward.
The phalaenopsis orchid is native to regions such as China, India, Australia, the Philippines, and much of Southeastern Asia. Orchids, such as the phalaenopsis, thrive in warm, sunny, and humid environments. They can be found growing off the trunks of trees throughout many tropical rainforests in the world.
The “moth” orchid gets it’s nickname due to the appearance of the blooms that form. Phalaenopsis orchids can grow wide blooms that resembles the shape of a moth and are fragrant. The blooms can vary in color and can be shades of pink, purple, yellow, orange, white, or blue.
These orchids can vary in size. Phalaenopsis orchids can grow to be 10 to 12 inches in height and 3 to 5 inches in width. Orchids, such as phalaenopsis, need to be properly watered in order to reach their full beauty.
Signs you may be Watering Phalaenopsis Orchids Wrong
Phalaenopsis orchids are very delicate and require special care, especially in regards to watering these exotic plants. There are several signs you should pay attention to that may indicate you are watering your phalaenopsis wrong.
Healthy phalaenopsis orchids have strong, thick, green leaves. New leaves will continue to sprout, along with new roots. They typically have strong root systems and strong stems. A healthy phalaenopsis may also bloom for months at a time before any begin to fall off.
But if you are watering your phalaenopsis orchids wrong, then you may begin to experience several issues with your plant. It is important that you pay attention to all parts of your orchid and take action if you notice anything wrong with it.
There are several signs you may be watering your orchid wrong including:
- Orchid fungus forming on roots
- Mold forming in soil and potting mediums
- Rotting soil smells
- Lack of new growth throughout your orchid
- Blooms falling off
- Roots blackening and dying
- Root rot forming
- Leaves darkening and falling off
- Mites and other pests on plants
- Excessively dry soil
- Brittle roots or leaves from lack of water
- Dead plants
If you notice any of the signs listed above developing on your orchid, then immediately take action.
Make the necessary changes, whether you need to water your orchid more or less, or drain water out of the bottom of the pot. Once you begin properly watering your orchid and treating it for any other issues, then your plant will be back to its normal, healthy self in no time!
If you notice your orchid developing any fungal diseases, then check out this article on 5 natural orchid fungus treatments now to learn how to make your orchid healthy again!
9 Ways you are Watering Phalaenopsis Orchids Wrong
There are several ways in which you may be watering your phalaenopsis wrong. In this section you will find 9 different ways that you may be watering your plant wrong.
The 9 different ways you may be watering your orchid wrong include:
- Giving your plant too much water
- Not giving your orchid enough water
- Giving your phalaenopsis water when it’s soil is wet
- Leaving pooling or standing water in the bottom of the pot
- Using water with the wrong PH levels
- Pouring the water onto the plant too quickly
- Relying only on misting as a way to water your orchid
- You aren’t watering your orchid enough
- You may be watering your orchid too often
If you notice yourself doing any of these watering techniques listed above, then you should adjust your watering regime immediately before too much damage is done to your plant. Watering orchids can be easy, keep reading to learn more!
1. You are Giving Your Phalaenopsis Too Much Water
Perhaps the reason your orchid is becoming sickly is due to the fact that you may be giving your phalaenopsis too much water. Giving orchids too much water can be extremely harmful to the plant. Excessive water will begin to harm the orchid’s root system, may cause leaves and blooms to fall off, and can kill your orchid if left untreated.
How to Tell You Are Giving Your Orchid Too Much Water
Phalaenopsis orchids have aerial roots. This means the roots rely on both oxygen and water in order to properly breathe and carry-out photosynthesis. If the orchid’s roots become submerged to in water, then the orchid will begin to suffocate, slow in growth, and eventually die.
Roots that are exposed to too much water may also begin to form a number of issues. Too much water may cause the roots to turn black and develop black rot or fungus. These eventually will cause your orchid to die if you continue to give your orchid too much water and neglect to treat the fungal diseases.
When you water your orchid (usually once a week), you should only be giving your plant 3 to 6 ounces of water each time you water it. Anything more may cause the orchid’s roots and soil to become too wet, which may lead to a decline in the orchid’s health.
Be sure to check the bottom of the orchid’s pot after you water it. If there is any water left pooling on the bottom of the pot, then this indicates you may have gave the orchid too much water. But this is an easy fix and you can easily drain the water out. Immediately do so if you notice any water pooling on the bottom after you have watered the plant!
Check out this article on How to Fix Overwatering in Orchids for additional information on giving your orchid too much water.
2. You Aren’t Giving Your Orchid Enough Water
A second way that you may be watering your phalaenopsis wrong could be that you aren’t giving your orchid enough water. Orchids, like all living things, require certain amounts of water, minerals, and nutrition in order to survive.
Plants like orchids receive the majority of the essentials and nutrients they need to survive from water (like potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen). Water will help in promoting photosynthesis and is essential to keep the orchid’s roots healthy in order to breathe. If you don’t give your orchid enough water, then you are depriving the plant from the things they need in order to survive.
Ways to Tell you Aren’t Giving Your Orchid Enough Water
The best way to tell that you may not be giving your orchid enough water can be based on the appearance of the orchid’s roots and leaves. If the roots begin to go from a grassy-green color to a dry, brittle looking, gray then this indicates the roots aren’t receiving enough water. Again, this will harm the airflow and nutrient absorption and growth of the plant.
If the orchid’s leaves begin to look thin, long, and turning yellow, this may also be an indicator that the orchid isn’t receiving enough water. The leaves eventually will die and fall off, leaving the orchid looking bear.
Another way to tell the phalaenopsis isn’t receiving enough water is perhaps the orchid’s growth has slowed or stopped all together. If you orchid isn’t producing any new leaves, roots, stems, nodes, or blooms, then your orchid may not be getting the amount of water that is required for photosynthesis to be carried-out.
Whenever your orchid’s soil becomes dry, you should water your plant. Typically you will only need to water your orchid every 7 to 10 days. Be sure to always check the soil every few days to keep a healthy and happy orchid!
To ensure your orchid is getting enough water, give the plant 3 to 6 ounces of water each time you water it.
3. Watering Orchids Wrong: Giving Your Orchid Water When the Soil is Wet
A third way you may be watering your phalaenopsis orchid wrong could be that you are watering the plant when the soil and potting medium are still wet. Orchid roots that are constantly exposed to wet soil may begin to develop a number of different fungal and bacterial diseases such as black rot, fungus gnats, and mold.
These orchid diseases can rapidly spread and may cause your plant to die if left untreated. Healthy roots are essential for a healthy orchid. The fungal and bacterial diseases may deteriorate the roots, causing the plant to suffocate and die.
Before you water your orchid, always check the moisture levels of the soil and potting medium. If you notice the soil is still wet, then you will not need to water your orchid at that time. You can check the plant a few days later to see if it should be watered them.
Usually your orchid will only need to be watered once a week (or every 7 to 10 days). To keep a healthy, happy orchid, always check the moisture levels of your plant first before watering!
4. Watering Orchids Wrong: Standing Water in the Bottom of the Pot
Maybe after you have watered your orchid, you notice standing or pooling water on the bottom of your plant’s pot. Overtime, this may cause a number of issues for your orchid. This is another way that you may be watering your phalaenopsis wrong.
Anytime you notice standing water on the bottom of your orchid’s pot, you should drain it out.
I recommend always draining any excess water out of the pot if you notice any pooling on the bottom. This will help in preventing the orchid’s roots from suffocating or forming any fungal or bacterial diseases, leaving your orchid beautiful, happy, and healthy!
5. Using Water With Wrong pH Levels
A fifth way that you may be watering your phalaenopsis wrong, could be that you are using water with the wrong pH levels. Phalaenopsis orchids love slightly acidic water.
The proper pH levels for water that you may use to water your orchid should be between 5.5 and 6.5.
Phalaenopsis orchids love water that is rich in several minerals such as nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, and many more.
If you suspect your water is too harsh or not rich enough for orchids, try purchasing pH test strips. You can use the strips to learn the pH levels of your water and whether it is right for your plant. If the pH strip indicates that the pH level is too high, then you can try using water softens to decrease the pH level of the water.
A water softener will also be beneficial to you and your household, as it will make the water taste better and leave less hard water stains throughout your house!
If you want to avoid issues with pH levels of the water you use, then consider using distilled water for this process! Distilled water is the best type of water that you can use to water your orchid with. It is relatively cheap and can be found in almost any grocery store.
6. You are Pouring the Water Too Quick
A sixth way that you may be watering your orchids wrong, could be that you are pouring the water out too quick when applying it to your plants.
When you water your orchid, you want the water to pour out in a slow, steady stream. Try aiming the water stream towards the roots of your plants.
If the water is poured out too quickly, then there won’t be enough time for the orchid’s roots to absorb the water and most of the water you use will end up pooling on the bottom of the pot. You also risk over-submerging the soil in water as well, which can cause a number of issues for your phalaenopsis.
I personally use a long water bottle when I water my orchids. This allows me to control how fast the water will come out and the amount of water I am using so I don’t overwater or over-soak my orchids. Just a tip if you are trying to find a way to control how fast and how much water you give your orchid!
7. You Only Mist Your Phalaenopsis
A seventh way that you may be watering your phalaenopsis orchids wrong, could be that you are only using mist as a way to water your orchids.
Though misting helps keep orchids soil moist, you cannot rely on this method alone. This method does not provide you plant with the amount of water that is required for a healthy orchid. Mist also does not reach far down into the orchid’s potting medium and roots towards the bottom of the pot will not receive enough to survive.
You should always try using a steady, slow stream of water when you water your phalaenopsis. Be sure to give your plant 3 to 6 ounces of water every time you water your orchid. You can mist your orchid in-between waterings as way to help in maintaining a healthy plant.
8. You Don’t Water Your Orchid Often Enough
The eight way that you may be watering orchids wrong could be that you don’t water your plants enough. In most cases you will only need to water your phalaenopsis every 7 to 10 days.
To avoid neglecting your beautiful plant, check the moisture level of the orchids soil every few days to see if it needs water.
If you go more than one week without watering your orchid, then parts of the plant may begin to wilt and die.
When you know you are going to be unable to water your orchid for a prolong period of time (perhaps you are going on a trip) consider finding orchid care in the meantime.
If you are going to be unable to care for your orchid for a prolong period of time and want to make sure it gets watered enough you can:
- ask a friend or family member to stop by weekly to check on your orchid and water it if need be
- drop your orchid off at someone’s home who you know will take good care of your plant
9. You Water Your Orchid Too Much
The ninth and final way that you may be watering orchids wrong, is that you water your orchid too much. You should not water your orchid more than once a week. If you water your orchid daily or multiple times a week, then you will quickly cause the plant to die.
The orchid’s soil needs time to dry up in between watering cycles. If the soil is constantly wet, the roots won’t be able to breathe and may develop diseases. This can cause the entire orchid to die in a matter of days.
I recommend only watering your orchid every 7 to 10 days, or whenever the soil is dry. Though water is good, too much of it can be deadly to orchids. Avoid watering your orchid too much to keep a healthy plant!
How to Water Phalaenopsis Orchids
Watering phalaenopsis orchids is extremely easy. There are a few important things to keep in mind when it comes time to watering your plant.
Before watering your orchid, you should always check the moisture levels of the plant’s soil. To keep a healthy orchid, only water your orchid when you notice the soil is dry. Usually you will only need to water your orchid every 7 to 10 days. Watering these plants when their soil is still moist can lead to a number of issues for the plant, like developing fungal diseases.
After checking your phalaenopsis’ soil and if it is completely dry, go ahead and water your plant. You should only give your orchid 3 to 6 ounces of water during each watering cycle.
When giving your orchid water make sure the liquid is coming out in a slow stream. If the water is poured too fast, the orchid’s roots won’t have enough time to absorb the water. Make sure that when pouring the water, it is splashing the orchid’s roots.
Once you have finished giving your orchid the proper amounts of water, you should check the bottom of the pot for any excess water. It is important to drain any standing or pooling water that may be on the bottom of the phalaenopsis’ pot. Pooling water will disrupt proper airflow and suffocate the orchids roots. Pooling water can also cause a number of other issues such as fungus or cause parts of the plant to fall off or die.
Always check for standing water in the pot after waterings and immediately drain all of the liquid to help prevent any possible issues.
Ways you are Watering Orchids Wrong: Summarized
If your orchid begins to develop a number of different problems such as:
- fungal diseases
- lack of plant growth
- orchid pests (like mites or gnats)
- dying leaves or roots
- dead orchids
then these may be indicators that you are watering your phalaenopsis orchids wrong.
There are a number of ways that you may be watering your orchids wrong including:
- Giving your plant too much water
- Not giving your orchid enough water
- Giving your phalaenopsis water when it’s soil is wet
- Leaving pooling or standing water in the bottom of the pot
- Using water with the wrong PH levels
- Pouring the water onto the plant too quickly
- Relying only on misting as a way to water your orchid
- You aren’t watering your orchid enough
- You may be watering your orchid too often
Watering phalaenopsis orchids can be easy, and if you notice you are doing any of the following when watering your plant, then immediately change your watering techniques.
How to Properly Water Phalaenopsis Orchids: Summarized
Phalaenopsis orchids only need to be watered every 7 to 10 days. You should always check the moisture levels of the orchid’s soil before watering. If the soil is completely dry, then it is safe to water your plant. You will want to give your orchid 3 to 6 ounces of water when watering your orchid.
When you water your phalaenopsis, you will want the water stream to come out slow and steady. Try aiming for the orchid’s roots and soil when you water the plant. After watering your orchid, always check for any excess water pooling in the bottom of the pot. Drain any excess water to avoid issues such as fungal diseases developing.
By now you have reached the end of this blog post. You have now learned all the 9 ways you may be watering phalaenopsis orchids wrong! I hope this article has helped.
Thanks for reading!
FTC Disclosure: This website contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase any items, EverythingOrchid will receive a commission at no additional cost to you.
