Usually orchids die from incorrect watering. Most of the orchids will find in homes are epiphytes , which grow on tree trunks and branches . There are parasites , not that suck nutrients from trees , just use them for support. In most tropical forests , the trees grow so tall and dense foliage , forming a roof that does not allow sufficient sunlight to reach the ground . Thus many plants such as orchids grow up to have access to light. Their roots have evolved so that the core is covered by a spongy substance , the velamini , which absorbs and stores water.
Apart from water the roots so enjoy the movement of air and light, and a lot of orchids roots can even to a small extent to photosynthesize . In pot but there is a risk . The danger lies in the fact that if the roots stay wet for a long time , the core begins to rot . When the roots rot the plant can not absorb water and begin to dehydrate . The leaves begin to shrivel , other times to turn yellow and die earlier in an attempt to transfer the plant as water and nutrients can be used in the newer. While many times the mold starts eating away at the roots throughout the plant
Unfortunately the appearance of symptoms of dehydration plant from drought or humidity is very similar . Many hobbyists So instead check the roots, simply increase the watering thereby exacerbating the situation . A singular rule that would help would be to separate the roots . The dry roots are white or gray / silver while carious watering coffee and soft to the touch . Healthy roots are usually liquid bright green and hard to the touch .
In the right watering are two key factors . The frequency and mode . The correct frequency varies between species , pot size , mounting location , season etc. You must always take into account the needs of each plant and the cycle in which it resides . An easy rule would be the following : ” The orchids should be watered once the roots dry out .” Depending on the species and plant physiology watering time to change if you need to water as the roots dry out completely or just before dry. For example orchids with psefdovolvous like onsintioum , it is the roots to dry out completely between waterings while orchids such as phalaenopsis not have storage organs , should be completely dry before watering .
The method of irrigation is that important . An orchid should be watered thoroughly so that it runs freely from the drainage holes of the pot . One way to save water would be with a watering can watering each pot you over a bucket or pot and using water that has been run in the garden . If you have a couple of plants would be submerged in water for 2-3 minutes and then rinse under the tap, using water garden . If you have many orchids , to soak in the same water many plants , it would be an economical solution , but if any of them are sick then all the rest would be at risk of being exposed to mold , bacteria or a virus. If watering far grained rice or water gets brown then your substrate has been degraded and it is time to replant your plant in fresh. If watering water runs freely and not concentrated in the pot then the substrate ” has sat ” because of degradation and holds too much moisture at risk for roots , repotting should be . The orchids such as Vanda not grow on a substrate should be watered with tap water eg in the shower for 1 minute and after 5 minutes again for 1 minute. You can tell when it is watered properly observing roots , roots which absorbed much water can have a uniform green color while otherwise have green and white spots .
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