Drowning a plant - how long is too long in water?

[JeffreyR]

I know that overwatering a plant can lead to rot and all kinds of problems. I’m not asking about that.

I want to know if it is possible to drown a plant by leaving the root, or the whole plant, submerged for too long?

As I read up about orchids, and some other plants, I often see instructions to “Soak the roots for 24 hours in…” or “Soak the whole plant overnight and then…”

I’m growing mainly Phals, indoors, at the present time, and they are doing well... Consistently growing new leaves, spikes, roots, flowers. Very little in the way of pests or disease.

Thanks in advance for helping a beginner.

[Ray]

Overwatering does not lead to rot. Suffocation does, so your query about drowning is a good one.

I have rescued many plants by immersing them in appropriate solutions as long as overnight and never seen an issue.

I must say though, if your plants are "Consistently growing new leaves, spikes, roots, flowers. Very little in the way of pests or disease.", why do you need to know about immersion?

[JeffreyR]

Ray asks "Why do you need to know about immersion?"

1) General knowledge. I keep seeing it and wanted to know before I did something stupid, rather than after.

2) I'm trying a few plants in semi-hydro and getting all the media off the roots is tough. It seems to vary by plant, but some keep a paper-thin layer of the old bark or media on the roots and only soaking seems to help. Others seem to clean up easily.

3) I dealt with a small mite problem on a newly purchased plant a few months ago using the 409 solution (happy I quarantined) and that worked out well, but some of the suggestions involved soaking. I wasn't sure about them.

So thanks for the answer. I live out by your old location in PA.

[camille1585]

I have on more than one occasion left orchids to soak overnight, or even 24h. Once I forgot them for 2 days. As long as they are in a well draining medium (I use medium bark for most, luckily) the excess water will drain fast and then I'll be sure to wait that the center of the pot is approaching dryness before watering again. Soaking a bareroot orchids 24h is usually risk free, since it will dry out very fast afterwards.

So if your question is 'is it bad to leave an orchid soaking for a very long time?' I would answer that in general no, it won't kill your plant, but I wouldn't do it too often!