Orchid Watering Tactics
Orchid Watering Tactics
As one of the oldest varieties of plants that man knows, orchid watering has been occurring for millennia. From the days of the dinosaurs to the days of rap music and MTV without music, this species of plant has grown and thrived in the wild all over the world. From South America to the beach woods of the United Kingdom orchid watering does not appear to be that difficult a problem. The issues occur when we, as humans, try and grow captive plants in environments that are not native to the plant. It is such cases that we will need to come up with unique ways of watering our orchids.
Watering Techniques
Perhaps the simplest method is simply to manually water your plant on the schedule and level that is needed for the plant to thrive in the wild. However, this requires a degree of attention and availability that most of us are not able to provide with our busy lives as wild environments are anything but predictable. Orchid watering for a number of the tropical orchid species, as with all specialist plants, requires some particular techniques. First it must be done at a precise level that follows the plants ability to actually consume the liquid provided to them. This must be learnt from observing the ecology of the standard habitat of that plant.
Orchid watering techniques should mimic the natural level and frequency. Care must be taken not to over water as this will result in a too moist environment that may end up with a rotting plant that will never grow to its full maturity and beauty. So whatever automatic orchid watering technique you come up with should include measurement of uptake of the water as this will definitely depend on the amount of sunshine and the ambient temperature. Maintaining a constant temperature and water level therefore requires sophisticated monitoring and measuring equipment.
However, most regular orchid growing environments do not have that level of electronics, nor perhaps do they need to if you pick the right plants. There are other more simple methods that may work just as well. For years gardeners have watered their plants based on a feeding schedule just as you and I live and survive. You pay attention to the weather forecasts and you plan accordingly. In fact as many orchids grow well in your home, watering orchids on a schedule should not be a problem for most. Simply select the plants that work based on your schedule and your ability to provide them the right growing environment.