Orchids are one of the most popular houseplants in the UK – but many people are likely to be making a common mistake when it comes to watering the flowers
Orchids don’t have to be a chore to take care of (stock photo)(Image: Guillermo Spelucin via Getty Images)
If you’re using ice cubes to water your orchid, you might be unknowingly harming its delicate roots. Orchids are known for being quite challenging to maintain due to their distinct care requirements compared to typical houseplants. These tropical flowers have unique root systems that necessitate a different approach to soil and watering than other plants in your home or garden.
The widespread advice of using ice cubes for watering orchids is based on the belief that as the ice melts, it will gradually hydrate the plant. However, a gardening expert has warned against this practice, stating that it could damage the orchid and that regular watering is perfectly adequate.
In a TikTok video, Paige Tailyn offered guidance on how to properly look after orchids, highlighting the importance of correct watering, feeding, and growth stimulation techniques.
She advised: “Maturing is realising that you should not be watering your orchids with ice cubes. When you get your new orchids, go ahead and throw away that care card. It’s going to tell you to water it with ice, and it’s going to p**s me off”.
The woman elaborated on the unique nature of orchids, explaining that they are holoepiphytic, meaning in the wild they grow on other plants without ever touching the ground. They absorb moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, and decomposing organic matter around their roots.
This distinctive growth habit means that orchids should not be potted in regular soil like other houseplants. To encourage a new flowering cycle after the initial blooms have faded, trim the stem back just before the first flower, and repot the orchid in a specific substrate called orchid bark.
Please note: The video below contains strong language.
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Orchid bark is designed to mimic the natural environment of a tree where orchids would typically grow in the wild. When repotting, carefully remove the orchid from its original container, gently clear any excess moss and soil from the roots, and cut away any brown roots, leaving only healthy green ones.
Place some orchid bark in a pot, situate your orchid inside, and then add more bark to fill the gaps around the plant. Demonstrating with a freshly watered orchid, Paige indicated that the colour of the roots can signal when the plant needs water.
She advised: “You can see the roots are a vibrant green. That’s perfect, that means she got a nice little something to drink. You’ll know when you need to water your orchid when the roots turn silver.”
Paige also advised that orchids should not be fed while they are actively flowering. Fertiliser should only be applied once the flowers have fallen off.
How to care for an orchid
1. Light:
Orchids prefer bright, indirect sunlight.Avoid direct sun, which can scorch leaves.East or west-facing windows are ideal.
2. Watering:
Water once a week, allowing the potting mix to dry slightly between waterings.Use room-temperature water and avoid letting the plant sit in water.Water in the morning so leaves dry by evening.
3. Temperature:
Most orchids thrive in temperatures between 65–75°F (18–24°C) during the day and slightly cooler at night.
4. Potting Mix and Repotting:
Use a well-draining orchid mix (bark, sphagnum moss, or perlite).Repot every 1–2 years, or when the potting mix breaks down.
5. Fertilising:
Use a balanced, water-soluble orchid fertiliser (20-20-20) every 2–4 weeks during active growth.Dilute to half strength for best results.
6. Air Circulation:
Good airflow helps prevent disease.Avoid placing orchids in stuffy or stagnant areas.
7. Pruning:
After blooms fall, cut the flower spike just above a node to encourage new blooms, or cut it off at the base if it turns brown.
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