Growing orchids in water is an original modern method that allows you to get a beautiful flowering plant that requires minimal care. Many do not use this method because of ignorance of the rules or disbelief in its feasibility.
Various methods for planting and growing orchids
These tropical bright and beautiful flowers in the wild do not actually grow on the soil, but cling to the bark of the trunk and tree branches in the forest. They receive useful and necessary substances through “air” roots, which consume water from air, fog and during rain. It is rather difficult to provide such tropical conditions with high humidity in the apartment. The hydroponics method may be the solution, although many gardeners still doubt it and ask whether it is possible to keep the orchid in the water.
The main methods for growing orchids are diverse. And not all of them involve the use of soil:
- in a special soil mixture;
- using inert substrates (hydroculture);
- location in the air (aeroponics);
- hydroponics - growing orchids at home in water.
When using the latter method, it should be borne in mind that when the roots are completely covered with water, the plant loses its ability to breathe, therefore, it is susceptible to damage by the fungus, as a result of which the process of decay begins. Therefore, some flower growers recommend maintaining the water level within the outlet zone, where the roots begin to grow.
Hydroponic Orchids
The number of species of tropical flower is very large, but not all of them are suitable for growing orchids in water. Phalaenopsis and other home varieties feel best at hydroponics.
Plants that do not have a rest period are suitable for conversion to water cultivation:
- Fragmipedium, or Venus slippers, originating from the mountain tropics.
- Dendrobium growing in nature in a cool microclimate.
- Cattleya - different in large flowers (20 cm), loves warm, but not hot conditions.
- Mormodes having spots and dots on the sepals and petals.
- Zygopetalum - different 2- and 3-color petals, etc.
Preparing for planting: choosing a container and substrate
When growing an orchid in water, it is best to use a transparent pot, and glass vases are not suitable for this because of too cold material and the inability to make the right holes for air.
Therefore, plastic containers that are sold in flower shops are considered optimal. As a home option, you can take a transparent bucket of plastic and hide its unsightly appearance inside a decorative planter. Be sure to make holes for air circulation at a level ¼ of height with a diameter of 5-6 mm. Make 3 such holes with a screwdriver or a hot soldering iron.
As a substrate, only substances that can not be rotten can be placed in the container: foam, pine bark, perlite, expanded clay, grinmix (mineral wool with perlite), diatomite.
How to transfer an orchid from the soil to water?
To prepare a plant for starting to grow it in an aquatic environment, it is necessary gradually, observing some rules:
- remove the flower from the soil, clean the roots of adhering particles;
- immerse for 2 days in water 1/3 of the length of the root system, then pour it out and allow to dry (leave liquids 1 cm deep);
- after a week, the time spent in the aquatic environment is increased to 5 days, giving a day for respite (drying out);
- then keep the orchid roots in the water constantly, replacing it and periodically washing it;
- the need for water becomes noticeable by the color of the roots - they become silver.
During this period, active growth of airy young roots begins, and light green sprouts appear on the old ones. When mold or white coating appears, the plant must be removed from the water for a day, then washed with hydrogen peroxide or any fungicidal agent. Green algae that appear on the roots is recommended not to be removed, because they help to improve the air exchange of the plant.
The process of planting a flower in water
Landing is done in several stages:
- clean the plant of soil residues;
- pour the substrate into the pot to the level of the holes made in the walls;
- put the plant and straighten the roots;
- pour a solution of nutrients (they are bought in a store depending on the development period: rooting, flowering, etc.);
- add the substrate to a level of 1.5 cm from the holes in the container.
The amount of substrate can be adjusted depending on its type:
- expanded clay is poured to the middle, the flower is placed, then it is poured to the top;
- when applying perlite, a claydite layer is first put on the bottom, then the plant and add perlite to a level of 1 cm from the holes, to seal the substrate, immerse it in water;
- diatomite also alternates with expanded clay (bottom and top) and is added to the beginning of the holes;
- the green mix must first be filled up, spilled with water to the holes, then pour the nutrient mixture.
Rules for caring for an orchid in the water
Regular control of the water level is the main rule for caring for the plant, and other recommendations must be observed:
- the air temperature in the room in the winter should not exceed 25 ° C;
- in order for flower buds to form, a preparatory period of 2 weeks with a temperature below 15 ° C is necessary;
- optimal air humidity is 60-75%, which is especially important during the formation of outlets, which is favored by growing in water, because the evaporated moisture increases the air humidity around the plant;
- a container with an orchid should be put in a place away from drafts, in the summer - it is put on the balcony so that direct sunlight does not fall (burns are possible);
- water for topping is used either with rain water or filtered through charcoal for softness (temperature at watering 23 ° );
- it is necessary to ensure that the leaves of the plant do not touch the water (rotting is possible), and when watering, the droplets that are removed are removed with a paper towel or sponge;
- openings in pots must be periodically inspected and cleaned;
- solution replacement should be done every 3 days;
- wash the pot every month, while the orchid roots are wiped and dried for 6 minutes, then again immersed in a fresh solution.
Possible problems and pests
When grown hydroponically, orchids are more susceptible to attack by flying pests, the larvae of which can damage the green parts of the plant by eating their juice. When a whitefly butterfly appears, the leaves need to be treated with a soap solution prepared in a 1: 6 ratio.
With a noticeable wrinkling of the flower leaves, the probable cause may be the action of hot or dry air in the room, temperature differences between daytime and nighttime, which the plant does not like. In a situation when there is no flowering with active growth of leaves and roots, it is recommended to stimulate the plant with a temperature jump of 8 ° C between day and night conditions.
Advantages and disadvantages of hydroponics
The content of orchids in water has its advantages:
- there are no soil parasites, the likelihood of rotting is reduced, which is prevented by the exchange and circulation of liquid and air;
- regular transplantation is not required;
- the plant does not feel a lack or excess of fertilizers;
- the roots do not dry out and do not suffer from a lack of oxygen;
- nutrient mixtures added to water have beneficial effects on flower health.
Disadvantages of the hydroponic method:
- water is used only for rain or filtered, and it should always be cool;
- it is necessary to constantly monitor the level of liquid in the pot so that it does not fall below the roots;
- fertilizing occurs throughout all periods of flower growth.
Resuscitation of orchids in the water
The hydroponic method can also be used to save a plant that has lost its roots. This happens for various reasons: from overflow and decay, as a result of infection, pests, etc. It is a pity to throw out the affected plant. After all, you can try to save him.
You can grow roots with water and a special rooting method:
- clean the roots of rot and over-dried particles with a disinfected knife;
- treat the neck with fungicide, sprinkle the cut-off places with activated carbon;
- dry the plant well overnight so that all wounds heal;
- pour settled water into the jar, put the top of the flower with the neck down so that there is a distance of 1-2 cm from the surface (do not touch the outlet with water);
- put a jar of orchid in a warm place, and the water must be changed every week;
- daily wipe the leaves with a solution of succinic acid, because from a lack of moisture they will become lethargic and wrinkled;
- after a month of careful care, the appearance of the first roots and even fresh leaves is possible, which depends on the condition of the flower.
Such resuscitation of an orchid without roots in the water will help save the affected plant, giving it a new life.