Gardening expert's '10 second' orchid trick helps you water them in winter
Orchids aren't the easiest houseplant to maintain, and have a bit of a reputation for flowering once and then dying.
Moth orchids (known as phalaenopsis) are perhaps one of the easiest variants to look after and can produce some beautiful blooms if looked after properly. You need to make sure they're in a room where the temperature decreases during the night, as this can encourage the plant to flower again and again.
Owners also need to be careful of both under-watering and over-watering the plant, or risk watching it shrivel up and never recover. However, a '10 second' hack will prevent this from happening.
Angela Slater, a gardening expert at Hayes Garden World, recommends waiting until the thick roots turn a silvery colour - which means your orchid is thirsty. Then, submerge the whole plant pot into tepid water for 10 seconds.
"This is enough to turn the roots green again," she added. "All orchids can be watered in this manner - [just] wait until they are slightly dry."
Gardening expert shares exact date when you should cut grass after winter
Slater warns against pouring water directly into the top of the plant as this may just run straight through. She also says placing the pot in a saucer of water won't work as the bark 'doesn't have the same abilities as compost, which can draw up the water'. Using hot or cold water could shock the plant, which is why tepid water is preferable.
Want big news with big heart? Get the top headlines sent straight to your inbox with our
According to the Express, every other time you water your orchid you should also fertilise them. Slate recommends using a bloom fertiliser made up to the manufacturer's stated dosage.
"Only ever use a bloom feed, you never need a growth feed or a balanced fertiliser," she added. "Use the fertiliser which you make into a solution and dip the plant in as you would when watering it."
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
