Converting your orchids to water culture. What to expect the first month.

If you're interested in learning more about growing in water culture, please watch my updated video, "What I've learned in more than a year of growing my orchids in water culture", publish date Aug. 17, 2017. The newer video contains over a year of my experience and insights in water culture and I know you will find it helpful. Thanks so much for watching.

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hello viewers and thanks so much for watching my channel! I have an updated version of this video that I made especially for beginners with the water culture growing method. Here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHrCk4uBnrCCmdk Happy growing and have a great day!

[@lelew2308]

Orchid Whisperer Hello! Do you have an e-book that can be purchased or do you do consults?

[@HamimChowdhury]

Orchid Whisperer wonderful wonderful Amy As newbie in water culture and as i am retired hVe time to spent on them . Which methid be good for me ?

[@arjuneol]

Thanks for the "roots may rot in the beginning. Just hang in there and keepchecking" advice. Its exactly what I was looking for

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Arjun! I'm glad the advise helped you. Thanks so much for watching and have a great day! :)

[@parkerdiaz6213]

Anytime converting to hydro/semi-hydro plants will go through the same shock process. They will regain that vitality and root health if you are consistent with care and follow proper maintenance!!

[@pennyreagan4498]

I am so happy to have found your video! I rescued a miniature phal from a big box store sale shelf. It was floundering and I was afraid I would lose it. After watching your video, I plopped that baby in a glass a week ago. Today, as I was doing my weekly watering and discovered a new leaf!!!!! Thanks again!

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Penny Reagan Thank you so much for your wonderful comment! :) It's awesome that the mini now has a new leaf...that's a great sign! Happy growing and thanks again for watching!

[@indigobeauty1]

I think my green thumb Is activating.i all of a sudden want to fill my home with plants 😄

[@carolallison9685]

I kind of neglected my orchid for a few months (i know im the worst person on earth lol) and the leaves got all leathery and most of the roots looked dead. Anyway, i popped the plant into the the back of the hob filter on my fish tank/paludarium for the whole day. When i went to take it out that night, i noticed all the roots had plumped back up and it had started to shoot out a new leaf from the middle, in only 10 hours. The old leathery leaves had also started to firm back up some. Ive been doing this every other day now for the past week and my orchid is starting to look a lot better now. I think since my tank is a heavily planted paludarium with terrestrial plants on top, i might just go ahead and plant it there. The roots will be able to reach into the water and help filter the tank for the fish.

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Carol! Wow, thanks for sharing this orchid story with me! That's AMAZING! Please keep me posted on your progress...it definitely sounds like it's going to work. I applaud your growing creativity! :) Happy growing and have a great day!

[@carolallison9685]

I will, and thank you, hope you have a wonderful day as well

[@benandante]

Such a great video. I've had my phal in water for about 2 weeks and you had some great advice! I also love your accent and voice. So calming :)

[@d.w.john.6354]

Nice to know they can grow with water too.💝🌱

[@basiliabacayo4272]

Wow very nice Ang flowers nia

[@jankaisand6191]

Thank you so much for your answers. I love watching your videos. I felt the same way you did when I got my first bare root vanda in water. Ive lived in Brazil and Hawaii and saw the orchids in nature, no pots or planting medium. Please stay safe with that hurricane Irene headed your way. Saying prayers for y'all.

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Thanks so much Jan! I really enjoy growing my vandas in glass vases and watching the roots grow...it makes me happy! Thanks again for watching and for your kind words...blessings to you! :)

[@joy9073]

I put my 4 years old orchid in water from the orchid bark. I just washed the bark off, no special treatment, and it's doing awesome 👏.

[@TinRoofVintage]

Your orchids are absolutely divine! I just picked up 2 plants from the store and when I clean them up, I want to grow them water culturally. Thank you so much for sharing. ♡♡♡

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Thank you so much for your sweet comment! :) Happy growing!

[@ChigginsComposting]

Wow all that hard work and patience paid off.

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Masooma! Thanks so much for sweet comment! Have a great day! :)

[@mabarker72]

wow, this is a new thing for me. thank you.

[@stacyluu4887]

Wow you have it for 6 years, I just brought 10 pots of orchids, most of the time it only last 2 years for me, I love orchids but maybe I had no experience in taking care of them. Hopefully this time I can keep it longer. I been watching a lot of KZbinr for more experience. Thanks for sharing.

[@ItNeverHurtToThink]

That Phal Intensity looks like something from another planet. So pretty!

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Thank you so much! Phal Intenscity is one of my favorites! :)

[@swizzleproxi4810]

You have amazing healthy plants there and the water system method really complements the plant as it shows its roots so well in their artistic tangle of creativity🌸🌹🌸🌹

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Alice! That's a very creative way to describe the roots! :) Thanks so much for your wonderful comment...it made me smile! Happy growing my friend!

[@richiewalsh6102]

Alice un dbf

[@richelledelire9046]

🎁💞😘😘👍👍

[@nimetbelen2432]

Cardinal birds

[@sherrywalker4619]

I am also in Tn. I just moved to Chattanooga from Nashville. I have just become interested in Orchids and am loving it! You have a blessed day also! Admiration from Signal Mountain TN.

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Sherry and welcome to the wonderful world of growing orchids! I appreciate your kind words and thanks for watching my channel! :) Have a great day!

[@shintaorchidscilacap8800]

Thank you for the information on how to care for orchids

[@rhodashelton6334]

Phal fan here in the Appalachians as well. Hello from Cleveland. I can't wait to put my Phal's in water!

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Rhoda! Orchids seem to do very well in water culture here in the Appalachians! :) Do start slowly with it though...just a few to start and not your favs...to make sure your orchids like the method. If you have questions, feel free to ask and keep me posted! I wish you lots of success! Thanks for watching my channel! :)

[@dallasguidroz9350]

they are Absoulty breath taking! Gorgeous. I am going to Go ahead and Go for the FWC method even though I was highly advised not to. but it looks Like it Works. This video has Proven A lot of people Wrong. Its worth a try to me. Thank you for sharing And passing your Knowledge and Love along. 🙏💞🌺

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Thank you so much for your wonderful comment! :) The only time you shouldn't give this method a try is if you live in a really dry climate...I know growers who live in dry climates who say it doesn't work for them. Other than that, I say at least give it a try with just one orchid to start. I uploaded a video to my channel yesterday entitled, 'What type of media should you grow your orchids in?" publish date March 31, 2017. I go over the topic in detail. Keep me posted and if you have questions, feel free to ask me. Thanks again for watching and happy growing! :)

[@kathleenmurphy2379]

I know I've written a long comment but it's kind of easy to do when you have a microphone on the keyboard of your phone and you don't have to type all you have to do is talk! It even puts the punctuation in when you tell it to put something like a. Or? Or an! And sometimes it lets you tap on a wrong word and gives you choices but I don't have a computer I just use my phone so I'm thankful because it's hard to type on my cell phone thanks again and God bless

[@taariqq]

Thank you for a detailed account. I am about to put a newly bought, root rotted and leaf wilted Phal into water. Praying that it works out.

[@OrchidWhisperer]

taariqq Thanks so much for watching and I hope it goes well! Keep me posted and happy growing!

[@taariqq]

I have made a couple of short videos of it. Will figure out how to combine the two clips and upload soon.

[@FollowingHim-oc2vw]

Hi, Having a hard ,time with root rot, This is the first month for some, I will keep at it, new roots are growing but the other long ones are squishy. Snip snip seems to be the focus and daily inspections are a must.

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi! The hardest thing about water culture is that the old roots usually do get squishy...then new ones form to take their place. I had one that took months to convert and then finally it got new roots. The old roots will rot though. It happens in the media as well, new roots grow and old roots die, but we don't see it. Some convert quicker than others to water culture as well. I have a few that just wouldn't come around, and I repotted them in moss. They are doing great. I hope yours turn around soon for you. Have a great day and thanks again for your comment.

[@coimbrasantosangela]

@@OrchidWhisperer 😁

[@kathleenmurphy2379]

I have seem other orchid lovers strip the vellum.... not sure how to spell that outer part of the root... and leave the stringy part of the root... that thin part inside the root can bring water to the plant until it grows new ones...also help to anchor of repotting in bark

[@RDanteRR]

💕It is beautiful 🌸an amethyst stone I 🍃am happy to see people who love nature 🌿

[@dilekgunel1871]

Rosalie Rossier bu kadar

[@emiliaval5956]

Nice video, plenty of beauty . Thank You . I will try water culture for same of my orchids 👍

[@flowersgardening3661]

I got an orchid same as this one as a present. I LOVE IT

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Flowers&Gardening what a wonderful present! :) Orchids make the best present! Thanks for your comment and have a great day! :)

[@Sefiia]

I didn't think I was much into phals, but yours are gorgeous!

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Thanks so much! I just love phals! They got me started growing orchids 13 years ago and I've grown them ever since! Have a wonderful day!

[@angelikapietruk]

You have a beautiful voice, thanks for the information!

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Thank you so much for your kind words, Angelika! You made me smile! :) Have a great day!

[@msania1970]

So beautiful, still struggling with FWC here in FL but one day we will move to TN for sure

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Anna! So sorry to hear you're struggling with FWC. Have you considered semi water culture? I have one miniature that insisted on 5 days water culture and 2 days dry. I'm just now getting to the point that I can do FWC with it and it's been in WC for 8 months! You can adjust however you need to fit your environment. Hope that helps and thanks so much for watching my channel! Have a great day!

[@SJLamb-te3dt]

After I bought a miniature phal it took nearly half an hour to get the tightly packed moss from around the roots! Some was stuck tight so I soaked it for two hours and went back with tweezers to pick most of the rest off! Then there was nubby bits still stuck fast to the roots and I used a soft toothbrush to gently clean the rest off.

[@OrchidWhisperer]

It sounds like you did a really good job cleaning that phal, Stephanie. The time you spend cleaning it so carefully will be well-rewarded. Have a great day and happy growing! :)

[@koolkol009]

Hiya thank you for sharing and the white one is simply gorgeous.

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Thanks so much for the kind words! This white phal is one of my favorites! Have a great day and thank you for watching my channel!

[@koolkol009]

You are welcome!

[@gripi8]

Thanks for info and the outro we so sweet

[@Digitalhunny]

You are my cheerleader! Thank you, so much for all your help *Hugz 🤗🍁

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Thanks so much for watching! :) Happy growing!

[@indigobeauty1]

Thank you for this wonderful video!💚💙

[@kathleenmurphy2379]

Thank you for your info I bought a couple reduced orchids at the supermarket for $4 and took them out of the bark mulch. The Roots were mess rotten dried up horrible. I put them in a brandy snifter each in their own. Didn't know what I was going to do with these big Brandy sniffers but they have worked out perfectly I rinse the roots off and just put like an inch of water in the bottom and then every week or so I fill up the Brandy sniffer with water and let the roots soak up some water for about 10 minutes. Bloom spikes that had quit blooming are now sending out more shoots. I almost feel like I shouldn't let it bloom again and let the energy go into the plant but my understanding is they really only grow in the summer. But I know they will do everything they can to bloom including sacrificing their leaves in themselves. So not exactly sure whether to let them bloom some more or cut the Bloom's bike off but the leaves seem to be doing well they're not shriveled up so I think I'm just going to let it Bloom if it wants to

[@CorpseBride64]

I bought a Phalaenopsis, and went to re-pot for the very first time. She had been stuffed into a grocery store pot, and couldn't breath. When I got it out of the "medium" (more like gross old moss) I saw found most of the roots were rotting. Surprisingly, she is still quite perky. I cut down nearly every root, and set her upside down to dry out. It's been 48 hours now. I may try to convert her to water. Any advice from anyone who has experience would be greatly appreciated!!!

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi and thanks so much for watching! I'll tell you what I would do with this phal. If it doesn't have many roots, it will need to be repotted in premium orchid-grade moss, not regular brown moss like it was in. I have a tutorial on placing your orchid in moss, publish date July 1, 2017. (But keep in mind, you have to get the right moss. I show you which type to buy in the video.) When an orchid has little to no roots, water culture doesn't work. (I've tried that.) The premium moss will get the roots going again, and it's easy to care for. Keep me posted and have a great day! :)

[@gaylefriedman3773]

Beginner of Orchids. Now I learned about water "Distilled!" I also use Eggshell. Grated finely, add water. Let grow. I wanted to ask about very small potted plants of Orchids. I find it difficult for an Orchid to bloom to the lust beauty when put into a tight fit. I have to different Orchids that are small. Can I re-pot then into a larger pot together? They just might do better as a group than a set of one? These are the same Orchids, only at a smaller version. I was also told, these particular Orchids are grown to its actual height, but smaller? How often do you add "Distilled Water?" Orchids look very dry even after adding Ice, or water. It's not like plant soil. There you can see it actually wet. When dry water again. Thank You!

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi and welcome to my channel! I use reverse osmosis water now, not distilled. I have a playlist on my channel about water culture...there's a link to it in the pinned comment of this video. It has lots of tips that will help you. If you're a beginner, I highly suggest you start with growing your orchids in bark, not water. I only use water culture now as a temporary method, not a long term growing method. You can repot those two minis together if you like, that shouldn't be a problem. Happy growing!

[@Kobi-um7bj]

You might want to try my simi-water culture with gravel method. Use aquarium gravel, add 1 1/2" to 2" inches of gravel to bottom of vase, fill water to top of gravel level. This method allow root tip to touch wet gravel but doesn't submerge root in water therefore preventing root rot. This method allow constant humidity due to evaporation, but you still need to mist the root every few days. I think you should test out this method for yourself and see how it is.....try it!

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi and thanks so much for sharing this information! I really like this idea, and I'm planning on giving it a try! How long have you been growing in SWC with gravel method? Have a great day and happy growing!

[@Kobi-um7bj]

@@OrchidWhisperer I started out growing orchid in SWC this past Oct. 2018. And I'm currently experimenting with SWC with gravel method to see how it is doing. So far it's doing quite well, I hope to see you try this method and made a video sharing your thought on your experiment. This SWC with gravel method is just another techniques of growing orchid that not alot of peoples know about, I hope to share this method with everyone. Happy growing!

[@jengarcia3684]

How do you fertilize? Im new to orchids i have my first and am nervious about it i want it to thrive .how often do i fertilize?? Omg u have an amazing hand at them

[@lilydecuba]

I love white Phaleanosis too, love your videos

[@OrchidWhisperer]

White phals just make me happy! :) Thanks so much for watching and have a wonderful day!

[@Patty-fv2dc]

Wow beutiful. Looooove flowers 😊

[@Plantsandflowers]

Beautiful

[@trannyglitter12]

thank you! will plough on!

[@h.p.5836]

I just got an orchid in full bloom with two beautiful spikes. There are 2 branches off one of the stems. I just unpotted the plant because I found that they are always repacked with the old medium they got established in which, could be years. It smelled a bit like rotten roots so I unpotted it completely. I noticed a lot of the roots are water logged so I haven't repotted it yet. Do you think it will do ok If I start to transition it to water culture? I would also like to add that it's very well established, 4 leaves on both sides, no new leaf. Also, is a clear vase required?

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Yes, this will be a good time to either transition it to WC or to repot in orchid grade moss. I have a playlist about water culture on my channel with several video topics that will help you. A clear vase isn't required, just use a container that is color fast. Happy growing!

[@kimtran7174]

I am in love with your flowers and roots! 😍 I bought a orchid pot 3 in 1 no drainage hole, I don't know should I repot them as same way in barks with drainage pot or separate them each? Last week I repotted 1 of my phals in to water culture, she is fine, I am so happy! Thank you!

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Kim! Thanks so much for your comment...it made me smile! I would either repot them individually in bark or place them in water culture...whichever method you prefer. If you don't repot them individually they will eventually need a huge pot, and I've found the roots grow together and it creates a mess. So it will be much easier to separate them now. If you do repot them in bark, make sure you get a pot with drainage holes. Glad to hear your phal in water culture is doing well! Keep me posted! :) Thanks always for watching and happy growing my friend!

[@kimtran7174]

Orchid Whisperer Thank you for a quick response! I am going to repot them now! Stay blessed!

[@CHOWIXCHANNEL]

Wow so healthy

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Thanks so much for watching! :)

[@coimbrasantosangela]

❤

[@ladyci]

Excellent video, thank you!

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Cindy! Happy growing! :)

[@pawsnotclaws2772]

I did not know you could put them in just water like that 🤯

[@padminipooladi9623]

So lovely

[@DavidJames0305]

I love your channel And I keep watching and I'm really thinking of switching one of my orchids to water instead of bark Media...my leaves are getting droopy and I'm not sure why...is November here in Florida...I'm new at this and have about 8 different orchids and a few dif. types now and I'm really having fun! thanks

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Thanks so much for watching my channel! Which type of orchid are you considering to convert to water culture? I grow phals and dendrobiums and they grow very well in my area in WC. You're wise to just convert one orchid to start with...to see if they do well in your environment and also to see if you like this method of growing. Welcome to the wonderful world of orchids and I wish you happy growing! Have a great day!

[@DraguljceP]

my orchides just don't grow spikes.... I watched your channel these days and i decided to go with full water culture and see what happens

[@OrchidWhisperer]

I wish you much success with water culture! Sometimes you really have to be patient to see spikes. I had one orchid for two years before it re-spiked for me and now it has been in bloom for almost a year! It won't stop blooming! Thanks for watching my channel and have a wonderful day!

[@janainaferreira9738]

Muito lindas suas orquídeas! 😍😍😍

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Thank you Janaina! :)

[@dallasguidroz9350]

she is beautiful I love her

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Dallas! Thanks so much for the wonderful comment! She is one of my favorites! Have a great day and thank you for watching! :)

[@asocenasemilla3381]

I'll do this orchids in water

[@carpediem8121]

Hi there, love your channel. i have been converting my orchids to water culture and i'm loving it. I have a question I'm hoping you have some similar experience with it. I have a Dendrobium keiki and I'm wondering whether i can transfer it to a semi water culture or should i put it in the normal bark mix till it grows a bit bigger. Its currently about 5 inch tall. Thank you. Ethan

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Ethan, and thank you for your kind comments! My dens have not had keikis yet, but from what I have read, the keiki has to be large enough to survive on its own before it's separated from the mother plant. In other words, I would leave the keiki for as long as I could before separating it. I belong to a facebook group called Water Culture Orchids and General Orchid Care.....it has a membership of over 10,000 and there are members who have separated keikis from their dens in that group. You can send a request and post the question and I'm sure you'll get some excellent advise. I wish you much growing success and thanks so much for watching my channel!

[@bellachi9575]

Orchid Whisperer

[@mikescott9410]

Wow your plants are amazing , I've one I want to keep alive and to bloom some day . I'm thinking of doing water culture but thinking I might kill it

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Thank you so much, Mike! Water culture is a challenge...some of my phals like it, some didn't and I had to convert them back to media. I have a recent video that might help you decide: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4CWYaJjfJqcqpo Have a great day and happy growing!

[@dianaleyva8573]

Thank you for such a wonderful video. I have been meaning to convert my phal to water culture but it still has blooms. Would you suggest I do that? I got it in a spag moss medium and it rots the roots.

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Diana! If it's bloomed out totally you can convert it. I have a water culture playlist on my channel with lots of information. Happy growing!

[@blancaacosta333]

When growing in water culture and the roots are exposed, do they require less light?

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Blanca! They actually require the same amount of light. I have all my water culture phals in eastern facing windows. The roots really do benefit from light exposure. Thanks for your question and for watching my channel! Have a great day!

[@dorrettbrown5644]

Orchid Whisperer

[@coimbrasantosangela]

@@dorrettbrown5644 ❤

[@lucyberger7625]

I love orchids but I am ashamed to say that every one i have had I have thrown out after the flowers die off. I know now that they live on and can continue to flower! I am excited for my next one and hope to have her for years like yours. Can you please tell me what the media is you speak of? Is that the dirt layer?

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi and thank you for your comment and questions! It's really easy to get orchids to rebloom with the right care. I grow in 2 different media, orchid grade sphagnum moss and bark. Have a great day and thanks again for watching!

[@hanafiirvan3408]

Beginner in this method, still in the first week which freaks me out everytime I see roots rot. Do you spray the silvery roots on the surface or just let them be?

[@joniesrecipes]

hello! do you have a video showing how to tranfer an orchid to water culture?

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Joni! I have actually been meaning to do a water culture transfer video. I'll do one in the spring...that's the best time to convert an orchid to water culture. Thanks so much for watching and have a great day! :)

[@sugahgarden1961]

Water culture is the only way i can keep my orchids alive. I dont know why lol

[@aileencarupo8082]

Same here

[@RDanteRR]

💕Amazing😊

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Rosalie Rossier thank you so much for your kind comments! :) Have a great day!

[@sarilaofficial4425]

I'like it..🤗

[@namzie]

Hi! I love your content! I have converted 2 phals to fwc last week after they have finish blooming. I sprayed down the roots with 3% hydrogen peroxide and let it dry for a few hours before putting them into water. Tonight i noticed some white fluffy mould developing, what can i do to fix this?

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi! Thanks for your kind words! You need to check to see which roots are squishy and rotting and you need to remove those. Whenever you see mold, there is rot somewhere. After you remove the rotten root or roots, you need to spray the affected area with hydrogen peroxide and let it dry for at least a few hours, I would leave it out overnight. Then add fresh water and keep a close eye out for any rot. One of my minis did this for a whole month and I now have it on a semi-water culture schedule, it seems to like a day or two out of water each week or it starts developing mold. Hope that helps and thank you for watching!

[@namzie]

Thank you, you were right! My untrained eyes did not spot the rot on the root that was developing mold! I went over it again and spotted a couple more rot spots close to the ste and cut them off even though the end of the root was bright green.

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Yes, I've had the same thing happen to me...you think since the tip of the root is green that the entire root is okay, and then you find the root is squishy after all. If your water is getting cloudy in a day or two, you know there is mold somewhere. Thanks for keeping me posted and have a great day!

[@ggplant1905]

Do they grow faster and better in water culture? I am really interested in trying it

[@anitar959]

How often do you change the water?

[@jankaisand6191]

Sorry got my hurricanes mixed up hop Irma is not too bad for you.

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Thank you for your well wishes...much of my family lives along the southeastern seaboard, so I appreciate your thoughts and prayers. Last year we were visiting our family and were evacuated due to Matthew, and some of the damage in that area is just now being repaired. So my heart goes out to everyone in Houston and Florida and all the other areas being affected.

[@yliberal6355]

To remove the chlorine from the tap water do you store it in an opened container or closed?

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Yolanda! I don't believe that it matters if the container is open or closed. I do want you to know, however, that I tried water culture with tap water at first, and now I use reverse osmosis filtered water. My filtered water has a pH of 6.5, and my tap water was 7.0. They are doing better with the filtered water. I have an updated video listed in the description box that will give you more information on what I've learned in more than a year of my experience with water culture. Thanks so much for watching and have a great day! Happy growing!

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Yolanda! I did some asking, and to remove the chlorine from the tap water it needs to be stored in an open container. Thanks so much for asking, I learned something (again) today! lol! Have a great day!

[@debbievilleda5500]

Hello Mrs I have my orchids in water for two yrs it always have flowered but this yr it hasn't do you have any idea why? Thank you

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Debbie! If your water culture orchids aren't blooming, I would place them back in bark or moss media. That could be a sign that they're struggling. Happy growing!

[@debbievilleda5500]

Thank you I will do. Also your videos are wonderful.

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Thanks so much, Debbie!

[@huynhcindy512]

hello, I really enjoy your video. I am planning to try this method of growing orchids. couple questions, I notice you put the orchids near window, and in a clear glass or jars, will the algae grow in there ? is it the purpose of not filling to much water so it provides oxygen inside the glass for the roots ?

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Cindy and thanks so much for watching! Just some thoughts for you...I have several current videos on my channel about water culture that will help you before you get started. I just did one a few weeks ago about the pros and cons of growing in water culture. Also, there's video mentioned in the description box to this video. I encourage you to watch it because I explain about algae growth. And yes, the orchid roots do need both air and oxygen and that's why you don't fill the water level too high. If you have other questions, feel free to ask. Happy growing!

[@aileencarupo8082]

When you say full water culture, why is it that when i see the video its not full. Just touches a few roots. Thank you. Just wanted to know if semi water culture

[@jennib7283]

Full water culture refers that the orchid's roots spend most of it's time in water while semi water culture is when it spends 2 days in water and then 2 days dry....hope that helps

[@jeanneluddeni5159]

I have reverse osmosis water but I haven't tried this yet I think I will though

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Jeanne! If you're considering doing water culture, please watch the video I have mentioned in the description box of this video. It has more updated information, and I believe it will help you. Also, I just uploaded a video yesterday about water culture levels. There are several of my videos from August 2017 that might interest you as well. Happy growing and have a great day! :)

[@dianai2090]

Hi, my orchid is not doing well...I decided to change its "habitat' and put it in water but now I see that water level here is low...I mean..I put much more water...

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Diana! I have several current videos on my channel from Jan and Feb 2018 that will give you more information on water culture. It's not the easiest growing method, and the more you know about it, the better success you'll have. Happy growing and I hope your orchid does really well!

[@stephaniecreasman2387]

What part of tn? I live in tn as well and im trying to learn to convert my orchids to water culture

[@katrinabirchfikar8370]

How much water do you put in the pot/how often do you refill it?

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Katrina! I have a playlist about water culture that will help you, with lots of information and examples of water levels. Happy growing and thanks for watching! Amy

[@stephaniemccants8737]

Thanks 👼

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Thank you for watching! :)

[@jankaisand6191]

I have one that just seems a little unhappy the other two are just fine and was wondering if a time in water might help. Thanks.

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Jan! I had a phal that seemed a little unhappy and I did some foliar feeding with it...it really did perk up! I have a video on foliar feeding that might help you. I published it last month. I hope it turns around for you soon! Happy growing! :)

[@HamimChowdhury]

hello dear Amy i hsd been trying to catch you eyes in your many videos but so unluckey to get your advices but fauled . can i poaced a dendrobium keuki as full water culture ? How to procced

[@coshigould]

when do you give food and what fertiliser do you give pleas?

[@christinamurphy3441]

First time trying water culture mine doesn't have roots is that okay to do water culture

[@stacywilliams4580]

Does it need to be a clear glass vase?

[@OrchidWhisperer]

No, you can use colorfast glass.

[@jeanneluddeni5159]

Do u fill it up with water or just a small amount

[@catherinelane9631]

What kind of orchid is this? Thank you very much

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Catherine! All of the orchids in this video are Phalenopsis orchids. Happy growing!

[@barteggens1509]

My mum always watered the orchids till they drowned, so im always afraid of overwatering mine. I see some roots being submersed on the bottom, Will they take that much water?

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Bart and thanks so much for watching! These orchids are growing in water culture...with no media at all. If you left the media around the roots and added this much water, they would indeed rot. This growing method does have its challenges, and I recommend growers research the method thoroughly before trying it. If you're interested in more information about water culture, I have many videos on my channel about it. Have a great day!

[@thecobaltroom]

HOW OFTEN DO WE HAVE TO CHANGE THE WATER? Thank you !

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Usually about once or twice a week. 😇⚘

[@KCKILLERCAT]

Hi there ! I just bought 4 orchids about 6 weeks ago and have been trying to find out how to repot them . They all became covered in little brown spots on the flowers . Can you tell me what causes that and do you think I should try this water method ? Thanks for your video and great information . I subbed you ! Sha

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hello and thanks so much for subscribing!:) If you're a beginner, I don't recommend trying water culture. I have a video, "Reasons why to convert orchids to media from water culture", publish date Sept. 13, 2017 that will explain why. I mention in this video about my tutorial on how I place my orchids in moss, from July 1, 2017, and also a video on repotting my gigantic phal in bark from a few weeks ago. In these videos I also give more updated information on different growing methods that will help you. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. BTW, the American Orchid Society has a website, aos.org, that will help you figure out what those brown spots are. It sounds to me like Botrytis spotting, but you need to look at a picture of it to make sure. Thanks so much for watching and happy growing! :)

[@teriratiu2982]

Do you leave them in the water all the time or do they have a dry out time?

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Teri Ratiu I grow most of my orchids in full water culture which means they are in water all the time. Some people prefer semi water culture which means you keep them in water part of the week and leave them out of water part of the week. It depends on what your orchid does best with. Thanks for watching and have a great day!

[@susiebutler4854]

Can I use our well water.

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Susie! I wouldn't recommend using well water on your orchids. Check the pH of your well water. The pH recommended for orchids is 6.0 - 6.5. It needs to be very pure water. I had a friend who used well water and it didn't give her a good result at all, that's why I know this.

[@luzburgos1927]

Cattelayas

[@edijo2888]

Help....Mine isn't growing or sprouting , few green roots only for over 6 months

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Edi! If your phal is just sitting there in the water culture for that long, I would suggest you change it back to its original media or whichever media you like to grow in. I have had a few phals that just don't seem to respond to water culture, and I changed them to moss. They have really taken off! I have a video entitled, "Tutorial on placing our orchid in sphagnum moss in container with no holes", publish date July 1, 2017 if you're interested in that method. Just be aware that you will need to repot in moss every year. Thanks so much for watching my channel and have a great day! Happy growing! :)

[@JenCombs]

I purchased my first two orchids yesterday evening. I've only been around Orchids with my grandmother while she was alive. she adored Orchids....but back then, I don't remember a lot on how she potted them. I should have came here before replanting ....I left all the bark last night but mixed it with potting soil that has a small amount of miracle grow. Please help me. I was a Grandma's girl and I don't want to mess up. If I need to replant, I can do it now. it was dark when I was planting them on my deck last night. I just don't have any bark. Do I need to do anything different? please help.

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Jenny! If the orchids were in bark when you bought them, I would simply place them in fresh, new bark media. Use the same plastic orchid pots that came with the orchids when you bought them. What type of orchids are they? Do they look the same as the phalenopsis orchids in this video?

[@JenCombs]

Orchid Whisperer no, these are tiny. like a minature kind...

[@OrchidWhisperer]

If they look like the orchids in this video except they are much smaller, they are miniature phalenopsis orchids. They need to be grown in bark media, especially if that's what they were growing in before. It's not recommended to grow orchids in potting soil...it suffocates the the roots. Either keep your orchids in bark or sphagnum moss media. (Whichever media they are in when you buy them.) Most people think that orchids need large pots to grow in as well. Keep them in the pots they come in until they grow, then transfer them to a slightly larger pot. I wish you much success with your new orchids, and a great beginner's orchid site that you may find helpful is the American Orchid Society website, aos.org. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me as well. Happy growing!

[@JenCombs]

Orchid Whisperer yes, that's exactly what they are. I went and looked at the card. I will get some more bark as soon as I can get to the store. I can leave them in a partial shaded area on my deck, right?

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Jenny! I grow my phalenopsis orchids inside...in an eastern facing window that receives morning light, Especially if the orchids are in bloom... It will get too hot outside for them. Have a great day! :)

[@susiebutler4854]

How do you fertilize you water orchids?

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Susie! I have several videos on my channel from Aug 2017...they explain how I fertilize my water culture orchids. Start with a small amount is my recommendation. Happy growing and thanks so much for watching! :)

[@incognitoriaanonymousita]

Why did you switch to reverse osmosis water later?

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Reverse osmosis or rain water is much better for orchid roots. It's slightly acidic, whereas distilled water is completely neutral pH. It can cause orchid roots to take in too much water. Nutrients work better with RO or rain water as well.

[@ksweetopia4459]

I have an orchard and the media is broken badly and all the roots were rotten only was health is it wise to put the only root into water culture

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi and thanks so much for watching! I would not recommend water culture for this orchid. I have a video, "Choosing containers for orchid growing in moss. Can you place a rootless orchid in water culture?" publish date Sept 17, 2017 that you will find helpful. Have a great day and happy growing! :)

[@ksweetopia4459]

Thanks love much appreciated

[@mariacarrasquillo5693]

i use to live in tennesse.

[@sangitareddy315]

Can this be kept indoors??

[@mildredvergara9791]

What I have to do with the leaves of my orchid if burn by the sun

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Mildred! If your orchid leaves are burned by the sun, you need to move the orchid to a shadier location. But there's nothing you can do about a leaf that is damaged by sunburn. I know, I have one right now that has a damaged leaf, it was too close to the window. But there will be new ones that will grow. Happy growing!

[@shabnammokhtar8777]

Hi there...hope you re doing well. I've never re-potted my orchids (i've had them for 4 years now), and now i can't go out to get new supplies. I am thinking of changing to water culture. I have phalaenopsis. Do you recommend this, or just let it be for now. I can see dying roots are the leaves are kind wilted. Thanks a lot

[@GrandmDretti]

How do you fertilize orchids in water culture? I have liquid fertilizers, one for blooming and one for growth, but don't know how or when to use them on my phal. This is my first experience with orchids. Love your videos!

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi and thanks so much for watching! I have a recent video about fertilizing phals that will help you, here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4PEeIKtj5uYa8k I wish you lots of orchid growing success! Have a great day! Amy

[@GrandmDretti]

Thank you so much for the link, Amy! :)

[@christinamurphy3441]

First times doing water culture mine doesn't have roots is that okay thx

[@OrchidWhisperer]

Hi Christina! What type of orchid is it? Is it a phalenopsis? It's okay to try it in water culture but it's going to take a lot of time and effort. I would place the stem on some damp cotton balls to start with. Make sure you keep the cotton balls damp but not soppy wet...see if you can get some roots going before you place it in water culture. It can take a long time with an orchid with no roots...sometimes it can take 6 months. But if the leaves are healthy, there's hope. You just have to be diligent. Thanks so much for watching and happy growing!