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* Moisture
loving orchids
such as
phalaenopsis
like to stay
moist at all
times. This
does not mean
they should be
kept wet.
Obviously when
you water they
will be wet for
a few hours,
but then, they
should dry out
and stay moist
for several
days.
* Excessive
watering will
kill orchid
roots,
and will
cause the
mix, especially
bark mixes,
to start
breaking
down. As
it does
so, it
holds less air,
and thus more
moisture. The
result is that
the roots, stay
wetter, are
deprived of
oxygen, and
are more likely
to
rot.
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WHEN DO I WATER
AGAIN?
You need to water your moth
orchid not when it is wet, but
when the mix is just damp to
the touch. There are some
methods to help you get the
hang of this:
If
your plant is in a bark
mix:
1. Stick a pencil about an inch
into the mix-if the tip is just
damp then water your moth
orchid again.
2. Put
your finger about an inch into
the mix and wiggle it around-if
it feels moist then wait
before you water
again.
3. If
you're not sure your orchid
needs water, wait a day before
watering.
Remember, your
phalaenopsis orchid must never
go bone dry between
waterings. Some species require
a drier winter rest, but
this does not apply to most
phalaenopsis so simply
aim to keep your plants moist
at all times.
If
your orchid is in a
peat-based mix
such as pro-mix, water when the
mix turns a greyish color, or
begins to pull away slightly
from the edge of the pot. You
can also use either of the
methods described above. These
mixes can be misleading,
because while the
surface is dry, deep
inside the pot, the
mix is still quite
wet.
Far
more phalaenopsis are sold
are sold growing in
sphagnum
moss which also
retains moisture for much
longer periods than bark mixes.
With moss, you have to
really be careful that it not
stay soggy. Make sure the top
few inches of mix are beginning
to grow dry before watering
again. In this case its best to
use your finger to check for
dampness.
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