Orchids are a beautiful eye-catcher in the room and can bloom for a really long time with the right care. A little trick when watering allows the exotic plants to feel really comfortable and grow healthily. Learn why you should shower your orchids.
Orchids are my favorite indoor flowers and I already have several specimens at home that are thriving. My trick? When caring for them, I give the plants a pampering shower. In the following lines I will explain how often I do this and what needs to be taken into account.
Showering orchids: advantages and disadvantages of the watering method
It's no secret that orchids need very special care. Since the plants are the so-called epiphytes, they do not grow in normal potting soil, but in a special orchid substrate made of bark, moss or coconut fiber. For this reason, orchids have different requirements when it comes to watering, fertilizing, etc. There are several good ways to water orchids. We already have the best of themin this articlesummarized. The plants can also benefit from a nourishing shower.
Why I shower my orchids
Most of the orchids that we grow as houseplants are native to tropical regions and therefore love high humidity. In the rainforest they get daily rain showers, so at home it makes sense to put the plants in the shower from time to time. This creates a comfortable climate for the orchids and they grow healthily and splendidly. This is exactly why the plants like the bathroom as a location if it has a bright window. By showering, I provide my plants with additional moisture and make them feel at home.
Can a shower harm the orchid?
The occasional shower is good for the orchids, but you have to pay attention to a few things to avoid damage. After showering, the orchid leaves should be dried so that no drops of water remain. If water remains in the leaf axils or in the heart of the plant, this can lead to heart rot, as there is usually not a large supply of fresh air indoors.
After I shower my orchids, I always use a cloth or rag to wipe away the water. When spraying, I also never aim directly at the plants to avoid rot. One of the things I try to do with the shower head is to shower the root ball.
So if you want to try this method, don't take any risks and be sure to remove the water if there is still any left in the leaf axils after showering or diving.
When and how the orchids shower
The best time to shower orchids is in the morning so that the plants can dry off during the day.
Showering is also useful for rinsing the dust from the leaves and moistening the aerial roots, which otherwise don't get much attention during watering. This also helps deter and wash away any pests.
This is how I proceed with the care shower:
- I put the plants with the plastic pots in the shower and set the water to lukewarm and a light stream.
- Then I shower the orchids with the shower head, directing the water jet primarily at the roots.
- Once finished, I turn the plant over and gently shake it to remove any water that may have accumulated in the crown of the plant. If there is still water in the leaf axils, I wipe it off straight away.
- After showering, I leave the plants in the bathroom for a few hours so that they can absorb all the humidity and have enough time to dry.
You may still be wondering how often you should shower your orchids. In the rainforest there are regular showers, but also very high temperatures, which encourage the plants to dry out quickly. So in our home it wouldn't be advisable to shower the orchids too often.
In winter, I generally advise against showering your orchids regularly. Once before and once after winter is enough to remove dust and pamper the plant. In summer, however, a nourishing shower once a month is definitely good.
Can you put orchids outside when it rains?
And what about a natural outdoor shower? In summer, warm rain showers are actually a practical and inexpensive way to water plants. On the one hand, rainwater is ideal for watering and on the other hand, the leaves dry quickly thanks to the air circulation outdoors. You can also put orchids outside when it rains if they are in pots with drainage holes so that there is no waterlogging. In this case too, stale water in the leaf axils should be removed in good time, provided it does not evaporate itself.
As a rule, the orchids can also be placed outside in summer as long as the temperatures are not below 15 °C. The slightly lower night temperatures often trigger stronger flowering.
A water bath is good for the plants
I only use this method to water my orchids. The water bath is the best way to provide the plant's roots with the moisture they need. In contrast to watering from above, the roots can absorb and store the water better.
Tipp: You can use the water bath to dehydrateSave orchid with soft leaves.
A water bath should last between 10 and 15 minutes, after which the plant should drain completely before returning it to the planter.
Here's how:
- Fill the sink or a bucket with lukewarm water.
- Take the orchid and its plastic pot and place it in the water up to the edge of the pot. If necessary, reduce the amount of water or top up a little.
- Allow the plant to sit in water for at least 10 minutes.
- After the roots have absorbed enough water, remove the pot from the water and allow it to drain.
- Return the orchid to its place.
Here too, it is important that only the roots are immersed in the water and not the heart, as the plant can rot.
