Just Another Day In Orchidville - Orchid Update!

Time For Adjustment ..

I got to thinking that I should write an Orchid Update .. So here I am on a rainy Saturday morning doing just that. First thing this morning, after my coffee and a quick trip out to the lakes edge to catch the sunrise, I decided to make some adjustments to the way I care for my Phalaenopsis Orchids. More specifically, the way that we water them. This is the subject of today's Orchid Update.

We Want Water, Water, and more Water! ..

After my walk out to the lake and back .. I made a second cup of coffee for myself. After all it was cold out there. The sunrise was fantastic and after that faded, the clouds started rolling in. The weather forecast calls for a Nor'easter, and she is set to arrive within hours. I had four things on my mind by the time 7AM rolled around; 1) To make a second cup of coffee.. Check - 2) To move all of the patio furniture down into the basement before the rain/sleet/snow arrived.. Will get to that after my wife wakes up - 3) To write a blog post.. Doing that now - 4) To start a new watering program for my Orchids.. And that's what I'll share with you now.

I was reading a plethora of things recently about Orchids .. Specifically the Phalaenopsis species. One of our Orchids, Pepper's Sympathy Orchid, is pushing up a bloom spike. It has me taking a closer look at all of the Orchids, and thus I am taking notice of some of the not so noticeable things, like signs of stress. I went to a particular website and began reading about watering techniques, which lead me to another site and then to several videos. I found one I really liked on a particular watering technique they referred to as flooding.

Here are a few examples of roots showing signs of water stress .. silvery color and wrinkly.

Empty Orchid Wall :-(

I gathered up the 7 Phal Orchids .. Sitting on the "Orchid Wall" near our kitchen, and placed them into the freshly cleaned sink. They were now ready for their flooding.

Let the soaking begin!

I began by watering them all with a gentle rain shower spray, as to give that light bark media some weight, otherwise it would just float on out of the pots and create a real mess.

The plan is .. To let the water fill up just below the rim of the pots. Next the only thing left to do is wait.. 20 to 30 minutes .. then empty the water, clean up the pots and place them back on their ledge. This watering practice is to be done approximately every two weeks or 14 days. Hopefully I remember in two weeks to do this again. hehehe.. We will see.

By watering this way, the roots should become less silvery and wrinkly, and more plump and green. That's the plan anyhow. The reason I want to change the way we have been watering is because our house has been so dry and I don't think they are getting the proper amount of water. Although the plants seem to look very healthy, the roots are telling me a different story.

It Appears To Have Worked Well ..

Look how plump and green the roots became after their 20 minute soaking

After about 20 minutes or so .. I could see a big difference in the roots. Not all of the roots turned plump and green, but the majority did. The plants even look a little happier to me. Probably because I rinsed all of the dust off of them. hehe. The leaves also look a little firmer than they did before taking a sink bath in lukewarm water. The process was not all that hard either. The most work was moving them from the ledge to the sink and back again. I think I can handle that much every few weeks.

While I was in the mood .. I decided to straighten up a couple of plants that were falling over sideways in their pots. So I yanked them out of the bark, rinsed off the roots, cleaned off the old dried up plant material, and planted them back into their pots firm and straight. They look so much better!

And Back To The Wall They Go!

For Another Few Weeks That Is

In the quiet embrace of the morning, I find solace in the company of my little girl, Molly. As sunlight filters through the curtains, we share a moment of tranquility, each sip of coffee a sweet symphony of warmth. Nestled in a cozy nook, Molly's eyes reflect the innocence of a world untouched by haste. Together, we witness the delicate dance of orchids unfolding their petals, a ballet of nature's grace. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the subtle fragrance of blossoming flowers, creating a haven where time slows and the beauty of the present moment blooms. In this shared stillness, with Molly by my side, I discover the poetry that resides in the simplicity of companionship and the silent spectacle of nature's wonders.

Thank you for swinging by my blog and checking out the post. Have a great day!

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