Should I water my Orchid?

[RosieC]

I agree with the comments above. Especially don't leave water in the saucer.

Pure stones does sound strange, and I really think it's best to do like Camille says and have a poke around to check there is not something else underneath.

If it's a mix like stones that dry quickly then you need to water more often, but still must not leave it standing in water for more then 5min or so.

If it's a mix like clay coloured balls (called Hydroton or Lecca) then it will hold water a little longer but still not long. I water mine in that every 3 days or so, however I have a fairly humid environment and that can also make a difference.

Usually these are potted in bark or moss. If there is any moss further down in the pot you will have to be very careful not to water too often as that holds water a very long time. Bark holds the water less, but will also stay damp longer than something like Lecca or Lava rock.

P.S. I'm going to change the image on your post from the $ label one. That is usually only used for classified adverts and might put someone off reading your post (it almost put me off as I don't usually read the adverts).

[Pink Lady]

I lifted the pot, only to see pure stones under there too so it's not just a decorative layer. I am so scared right now.

[RosieC]

Can you take a picture of the stones. Sometimes orchids are grown in various types of stones in some parts of the world. A picture will help us tell if it looks normal or not.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Den Burana 'Pink Lady' is a Den phalaenopsis type, man-made Dendrobium hybrid. Wild forms [the species forms] of the Den phal types come from somewhere in the general area of Queensland, Australia (unfortunately I don't know the actual specific locality in which they are found within Queensland, Australia). They're largely lithophytic orchids. So yes, growing in pure stones would not be unusual for these types of orchids. Particularly if the rocks can hold enough water for the plant to use.

The wild types [the species types] have a winter dormancy. In cultivation, some people opt not to give it a winter dormancy.

[Pink Lady]

Here is a pic of the stone in the pot.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

It looks fine. That's a type of granite. In the wild, the species forms would grown in or on granites.

Try it out for a while. Growing in rocks as a potting medium should help you to prevent over watering the plant.

I'd pull the plant up a little higher though. I wouldn't bury the bottom part of the canes under the rocks, just the roots.

[Pink Lady]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Den Burana 'Pink Lady' is a Den phalaenopsis type, man-made Dendrobium hybrid. Wild forms [the species forms] of the Den phal types come from somewhere in the general area of Queensland, Australia (unfortunately I don't know the actual specific locality in which they are found within Queensland, Australia). They're largely lithophytic orchids. So yes, growing in pure stones would not be unusual for these types of orchids. Particularly if the rocks can hold enough water for the plant to use.

The wild types [the species types] have a winter dormancy. In cultivation, some people opt not to give it a winter dormancy.

Now I'm getting really scared, i really dont want this orchid to die. I sould be in stones or clay or what?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I'll keep this simple...

Keep the plant in what you've got. You're fine.

Just pull your plant up a little higher, so that the bottom parts of the cane are not buried in the rocks.

Give this guy some indirect moderately bright light and water once to twice a week and you're okay.

You can water more often during growing season, if you grow these outdoors and the air circulation is excellent.

But if you grow these indoors, then once to twice a week during growing season.

You only need to water only once every 2 weeks during winter just to keep it from shriveling. But water during the day in winter so they don't stay too cold and wet.

[Pink Lady]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

It looks fine. That's a type of granite. In the wild, the species forms would grown in or on granites.

Try it out for a while. Growing in rocks as a potting medium should help you to prevent over watering the plant.

I'd pull the plant up a little higher though. I wouldn't bury the bottom part of the canes under the rocks, just the roots.

If you look really closely, you'll see some protruding through the stones, I hope that is ok

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

What? You mean the roots? Yeah, that happens all the time with any kind of orchid. What I do is when the roots show signs of active growth, I wet the roots thoroughly and then slowly and gently find a way to guide the roots back into the pot.

Otherwise, this is not a huge issue. The roots can still grow just fine dangling in the air, provided there is enough humidity and moisture getting to it and it is not diseased.