Too much water!!

[Wynn Dee13]

Also a lot of people think it is time to water when the top of the medium is dry. But a lot of times it is still wet in the middle of the pot. Then they water again and the roots don't get to dry out between waterings. This can lead to root rot. Over potting can too because the extra medium stays wet too long.

[bettyespana]

Originally Posted by BeastSlayer

I'm a newbie and I read this over-watering issue a lot.

But this type of orchid actually originated in the part of Asia with days on end of monsoon rains. In fact, the joke in that part of the world is that they only have 2 seasons: rainy and more rains.

Now, I have some orchids myself. One set is out being under sprinklers everyday early mornings.

The other indoors that gets watered twice a week.

Both are fertilized weekly -- weakly.

Now for comparison, the orchids being watered daily (both Cattleya and Phalynopsis) are thriving beautifully with multiple new leaves and roots.

If over-watering is bad, what gives?

P.S. - Bett - I hope you are now fine and I'm happy too for you and your orchids.

Sorry for the seeming hijack of your thread. No excuse that it veered into over-watering issues.

Thank you Beastslayer,

I am fine now thank you,my phal is surviving well also.
In fact it recently shed its flowers & I have cut the spikes down to the 2nd node,sealed the cut with cinnamon & looking at it this a.m there is a new leaf coming.My phal is lots of healthy roots & is packed in a bark mix in a plastic see through pot & kept in my porch
which has glass curtains.
Before I water I use a wooden pencil & poke down into the mix.If damp I delay my watering if dry it gets watered.
Using this method I have also managed to save one given to me to nurse which was in a terrible state.That now has 2 healthy new leaves on it. Yippee!!!
All thanks to advice from my new friends on Orchid Board.xx

[BeastSlayer]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

Bett - You must have felt fulfilled seeing your previously dying orchids surviving -- and now thriving.

For some reasons, I feel happier seeing new roots and leaves than we I buy an already flowering orchids.

And of course happiest when it starts to re-flower.

[Wynn Dee13]

New roots and leaves are fun to see grow! As long as I'm seeing healthy new growth I'm happy. Of course flowering the plant by yourself is the best!

[bettyespana]

WynnDee 13 & Beastslayer,

You are both so right about the roots & new leaves,
it is such a joy seeing them.Just like winning the lottery!! I wish !!
Mind you I will be so glad to see them flower again.
I still say though that without the tips I have got from all you guys & gals on here I would probably have been up the creek without a paddle where my phals are concerned.They would have been consigned to the bottom of the compost heap.