How to Water an Orchid (Hint...NO ICE CUBES!)

Check out my comprehensive moth orchid care course here: bit.ly/3SalVoW
In this video, I talk about the proper way to water orchids, why you should not water with ice cubes, and also talk about some other interesting Phalaenopsis or moth orchid tidbits!
I have another video where I demonstrate how to water:
• Moth Orchids: How to ...
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[@tatianaleone1736]

You make me laugh! Love watching and trying to develop my green thumb. Thank you for sharing!

[@OhioTropics]

Glad you enjoyed the video Tatiana :-) Good luck with your orchids!

[@Pandorash8]

I was given an orchid when my husband passed away in March. I’ve been watering it like I do my other indoor plants and it has grown a branch off the main stem and started flowering! But then one of the last flowers to start growing died at bud. I think it was too close to the window. Also, I suspect I’ve been watering terribly! Now I know better I hope to help it thrive. It’s beautiful.

[@OhioTropics]

I'm so sorry to hear about your husband. I'm glad the video helped and let me know if you have any issues along the way :-).

[@trudymessing9617]

THANK YOU!!! Finally, I understand when and how to water my orchids! I will be checking into Ohio Tropics Houseplant care.

[@OhioTropics]

Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@claudetteleblanc5273]

Thank you for the excellent information and demonstration. 👍👍👍💜💜💜

[@OhioTropics]

You're very welcome!

[@SassyCassie.]

I’ve never watered mine w Ice cubes it also freezes the root where the ice cube sits but my mom does ! so mine lasted 7 months I also been misting it like you said and it was crazy the flowers just feel off! Couldn’t believe they lasted this long! Thanks for this glad I’m not the only one!

[@OhioTropics]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@rozeichelberger741]

Recieved a Orchid for my Bday from my Sister and followed instructions as stated on First watering.Next week, I thought I would I do some homework and get some info on how to water this plant. So glad I did! Did as you said on video and found roots to be somewhat white and few at top . Did a short soak and spray and will see what happens! Thank you so much for saving my gift!

[@OhioTropics]

You're so welcome Roz! Happy to help!

[@zeus1966]

Very helpful. Thank you! 🙂

[@OhioTropics]

You are so welcome!

[@jhunifiedwithlove9750]

Thanks for educating us all… my boss loves orchids and she keeps on buying and her friends are gifting her orchids too and they all just end up in the bin… I’ve been trying to keep and save them but I always fail… now I know better. Thanks a lot.

[@OhioTropics]

You're very welcome!

[@jhunifiedwithlove9750]

@@OhioTropics 🥂 ❤️👼

[@bettywashington8845]

Great info ... I was wondering about the ice cube directions when I bought it. I changed to water right away and it is doing great two months later. I watched your other video and just repotted it. Thanx!

[@OhioTropics]

You're very welcome Betty! Glad you enjoyed the video :-)

[@MonStarGuy]

Great tips! I have 2 phals in sphagnum moss, and an epidendrun in a 50/50 potting mix/orchid bark mix that I've amended with perlite. I had to repot one of the phals because the over-packed sphag led to a lot of root rot.

[@OhioTropics]

David Johnson Thank you! And yes, it’s just awful! It’s not fair for people purchasing the orchids because you are set up for failure from the beginning!

[@karenwhaley8635]

Thank you!! I was gifted a orchid for putting out a kitchen fire in my neighbors apartment Well just like the fire, I was drowning my poor orchid!! It is in planted in bark so I'm going to try soaking method I think Pulled out of decorative pot and it is in a clear pot Roots are fat and green but there was 2 inches of water in pot and flowers were all dying New to orchid owning Love your videos Would love to learn all I can!! 😊

[@OhioTropics]

Glad you enjoyed the video!!

[@constancescott4039]

Thanks so much for this video! I recently had a discussion with my MIL and she swore by the ice cube method! She wouldn't listen to reason as to why it's a bad idea. I also recently purchased an orchid from Trader Joe's that suggested to water with ice cubes. I would love for you to make a video on repotting in bark. Also, where do you find the clear orchid pots?

[@OhioTropics]

Constance Scott You're welcome! Yes I actually was going to make a repotting in bark video soon so stay tuned! For the orchid pots click on this link and then go to the Orchid Products section and I have them there! www.amazon.com/shop/ohiotropics?isVisitor=true&listId=1EUO0JUUS7Y9C

[@gertrudepaulgalbano8366]

Thank you Sir. Very well explained.. God bless You..

[@OhioTropics]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video Gertrude :-)

[@lanielight6904]

Thank you. Well done, well said. I am trying to get purple orchids to bloom again...

[@OhioTropics]

Glad you enjoyed! And you can do it!

[@lanielight6904]

@@OhioTropics I'm not sure this orchid is coming back. I think I mis-cut it back so may need to get a new one :(

[@TM-nu5vd]

AMEN -- NO ICE CUBES!!! There aren't any ice cubes in the tropics where they originate. I sure wouldn't want an ice cube down my back so just think how the orchid would feel.

[@OhioTropics]

Right!! I can just feel the orchids screaming when they're given ice lol

[@rhondasampsel2806]

@@OhioTropics I read this and quit that I took am in Ohio.We have plenty ice and nobody likes it.

[@Larry4867]

You so funny! I just got a orchard and clueless!! Really helpful video. Your plants are beutiful. I will not use ice-cubes😅the shop label recommends it Stange enough.

[@OhioTropics]

Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@Perpetuallytrying]

Thank you plant master ❤️ please help me get me orchids to rebloom this year!

[@OhioTropics]

Best of luck!

[@Perpetuallytrying]

@@OhioTropics thanks! We’re still experimenting that’s for sure.

[@dianasuarez1779]

Hi, I am a new subscriber, and I like your presentation. I was gifted with 2 orchids, and I still water them with 1/4 cup of cold water, the equivalent of 3 ice cubes. One of them rebloomed but not the other. The other just gave more aerial roots, and ignorance told me to cut the longest root. What will happen to that one? I surely will change my method of watering after watching your video. Thanks for any input.

[@OhioTropics]

Hi Diana! Glad you enjoyed the video. Definitely leave all the aerial roots from now one. The plant will be fine (I assume it has many other roots, hahaha), so don't worry.

[@dianasuarez1779]

@@OhioTropics Thank you

[@Krisna_Bali]

It is strange to me to hear using ice cube to water it if you live in a cold climate. I live in tropical country, and plant orchid on the tree trunk, wrap them with a bit of coco fiber and bark to keep them colder and humid a bit longer. A pond under the tree with some plants around is a great location. I have to pause the video twice because you make me lough when you eat the cube and when you accidently said about no ice cube there. 😂. A great video and tips, Raffaele!

[@OhioTropics]

Glad you enjoyed the video :-) And I'm jealous of your tropical climate!

[@marilynkellenberger8141]

Love all the info you give. Please don’t say Ok so many times, in distracting when your giving us the info. Not trying to be critical at all cause you do a fantastic job. Better then most you come to the point and we don’t have to wait for all info to come forth . Some go on and on till it’s boring to listen to them .

[@southrootedoutsideoutdoors2052]

Good info new to your channel👍🏻🔔

[@emilyfixler7844]

thank you so much for all these awesome tips, when i bought my orchid it said to water with ice cubes and i didn't know better, i'm excited to learn how to take better care of it! how long does it take for the orchid to rebloom?

[@OhioTropics]

Glad you enjoyed! Healthy orchids can be in bloom for a large part of the year, and usually they grow new spikes yearly, but you can also trim the flower stalk after the flowers have fallen off and encourage it to rebloom off the same spike. Here is one of my blog posts that explains the different options: www.ohiotropics.com/2019/12/12/moth-orchids-post-bloom/

[@ellenhaben1217]

For me bark is the way to go! Moss more likely to rot roots for me.

[@OhioTropics]

Yes, I find the same to be true for myself. Sometimes growers pack the sphagnum moss in much to tightly and that makes it really hard to manage!

[@ellenhaben1217]

Thank you for your great viders!!!💚👍

[@ellenhaben1217]

Video s

[@Learehart]

I recently bought a Kokedama Aphrodite Orchid. Can you make a video about them? From everything like watering to making it, and taking the Kokedama apart. I love your channel and learned so much already!

[@OhioTropics]

I'm glad you're enjoying my channel! I am not familiar with that orchid, but now you have me curious about it!

[@kat-tw9fu]

Idk anything about orchids but i always knew that ice cube thing was ridiculous!

[@OhioTropics]

It certainly is! 🤣✌🏻

[@betsybalchbarker]

Could I get a pretty piece of wood, and wrap my orchids around the wood, (no bark), and mist it? Would that work?

[@OhioTropics]

Hi Betsy! Yes, absolutely! This is how they grow in nature. One thing that you have to keep in mind is that mounted orchids will dry out VERY quickly, so you'll have to water/mist the roots pretty frequently. You will know if you orchid is dehydrated if you see wrinkly roots and leaves. If you feel that you can keep up with the water requirements, go for it! Don't confuse frequency of watering with "overwatering." Mounted plants often will need to be watered a couple times a week at least (sometimes more), depending on your conditions. Hope this helps.

[@betsybalchbarker]

Thank you so much!!!! I mist them when they are looking a little droopy, so I probably should mist them more often. Thank you so much for answering my question!!! I look up on how they grow in the wild and copied that! Beautiful gorgeous flowers!! Have a blessed day!

[@susanh1447]

I cannot imagine putting ice in my orchids. When my husband brings me a new orchid (from the grocery store), they always have a tag on them saying how many ice cubes to water it with!

[@OhioTropics]

It's horrible, right???

[@Hadinha]

Awesome. Never used ice and still have issues. Can you please talk about rescuing? Mine have soggy leaves and wilted petals. It was going so well on a clear pot at my porch, until it stopped going well. 😢 Thank you 🌸

[@OhioTropics]

I'll keep that in mind for the future :-)

[@tamieneal2343]

I live in a condo that doesn’t have a good humid place for my orchid. How can I get the right place for my orchid? What is the best food for the orchid in bark?

[@OhioTropics]

These plants are quite resilient and will tolerate lower humidity in your home. The important part is to supply enough light and also have proper watering. I like to use Dyna-Gro Grow, but there are a lot of other good ones. I have numerous blog posts on my site about orchid care. Feel free to use the search feature to find what you need: www.ohiotropics.com

[@bernhardbatschelet8065]

I water once a week normally, once with 2-3 ice cubes in addittion. it seems the shock of cold and warm will activate the growing strength of my plants. i had never a negative effect! I the opposite. They are healthy and flower more.

[@OhioTropics]

If it works for you, keep doing what you're doing.

[@adacapone2565]

Hello. I just subscribed. You explain things thoroughly and clearly. I recently got an orchid. I wanted to see what a healthy orchid looks like while I am trying to save one my mother has. So now I trying to learn all about Orchids. My question, because it is so difficult to get orchid fertilizer, are egg shells good for fertilizing orchids? Do I place the cleaned crushed egg shells only on the bark and avoid putting it on the crown? Am I to also avoid fertilizing in the winter?

[@OhioTropics]

Using eggshells won't have the same effect. I would use whatever fertilizer you can obtain for houseplants and use that if you can't find a specific orchid fertilizer where you are. I fertilize from the very end of winter through early Autumn.

[@adacapone2565]

@@OhioTropics Thank you for your response. I appreciate that.

[@emaina55]

Glad I found your videos!! Now subscribed. Should I cut off the dried up roots?

[@OhioTropics]

Glad you enjoyed the video! Yes, if they are completely dried up, you can cut them off.

[@rozeichelberger741]

So sad as I ,M down to one root and am trying the plant above water in glass container. Hope this works and so far its not dead

[@OhioTropics]

Sorry to hear that! They are a little different to take care of, but once you figure them out, they're not that bad! Here is a blog post of mine that will help: www.ohiotropics.com/2019/05/20/first-blog-post/

[@anakammy]

Hi , I broke one of my orchid sterms and decided to put it in water to see if would root but never happened,instead samething is growing from two of the nods in that stern that i put in water, do you think it could be two blooms or two new plants? its a shame a can not post the picture here.

[@OhioTropics]

Sometimes little baby plants called keikis grow on the orchid flower stems. However since the stem broke off, you're unlikely to sustain anything.

[@piaoaaapiao]

is it better to get a taller pot for the taller, exposed roots, in order to pot them in so that they can absorb water through the wet bark more easily?

[@OhioTropics]

You can if you'd like! But remember that there is nothing wrong with some exposed roots! Just make sure that you're misting the exposed roots to water them so that they don't shrivel up. Aerial roots can dry out pretty quickly if you don't water them.

[@berthaz2583]

Maybe it depends on the type of orchids, mine came with the 3 ice cubes instructions and the plant is doing beautiful. BTW, it needs the ice cubes every two weeks. I started to add them every week, per the instructions, but it was too much for the plant.

[@OhioTropics]

Just be careful because it may work temporarily. I've seen too many people kill their plants with ice. If the ice contacts the roots, it will damage them. And once you go to repot into a larger pot, it's just not enough water.

[@davidlollollol]

really dam I use ice cubes all the time

[@jillyc3777]

Arhg! That's what Iv e been doing !

[@OhioTropics]

You'll get much better results without ice cubes in the long term :-)

[@lizajane54]

5:50

[@lunamoon8847]

/Thank you/

[@markdale278]

What if you have not enough roots for the orchid, how many roots do you need you think ?

[@OhioTropics]

If you have an orchid that has lost a lot of its roots, I would recommend setting the base of the orchid in moist sphagnum moss. You may need a couple small stakes to hold it in place. This will help encourage it to grow new roots. After they start growing, you can either keep them in the sphagnum moss, or if you like bark mixes better, you can transfer to a pot with bark mix. But you'll have to water the bark mix more than you'd think, especially in the beginning. Hope this helps a bit!

[@markdale278]

@@OhioTropics thank you

[@aychkay3534]

Hey Rafaelle, I heard that I can just put ice cubes on top and that should do it! What do you think?!😂😂😂

[@OhioTropics]

hourik kazarian 🤣🤣🤣

[@chrissy3742]

What temperature water do you use to water the orchids?

[@OhioTropics]

Always use room temperature or warmer water. Never use cold water.

[@deliarubin1136]

How about phalaenopsis’ medium are coconut husks?

[@OhioTropics]

Delia Rubin I've never tried Coconut husks for Phalaenopsis, but I'm sure it would be just fine!

[@deliarubin1136]

Ohio Tropics, Thank you for your prompt reply.

[@southrootedoutsideoutdoors2052]

Can you Soak your orchid in miracle grow mixed water?

[@OhioTropics]

You can soak in a fertilizer solution, yes. However, I would not use the regular miracle gro that is sold is the big boxes. It is much too high in Nitrogen. I would use a fertilizer that is specific to orchids.

[@southrootedoutsideoutdoors2052]

Will do. Thank you for the info

[@OhioTropics]

@@southrootedoutsideoutdoors2052 You're welcome! I forgot to mention one thing. Maybe once a month or so, just use plain water with no fertilizer to flush your pots out with. This will wash out excess mineral salts.

[@jnjburke]

Can I use distilled water or watere from a water softener?

[@OhioTropics]

You can use distilled water, but it has no nutrients in it so you should periodically fertilize. I don't recommend water softener water since many of them use sodium which is toxic to plants.

[@Msawesomet123]

I killed my orchids because i followed the ice cube method that was on its tag🤦‍♀️i was heartbroken

[@OhioTropics]

Hi Jennifer! But now you know what to do! Try again!

[@Msawesomet123]

Ohio Tropics yes thank u!!

[@joemug4079]

With your ice cube watering you have to also mist your orchids. My award winning orchids are ONLY watered by cubes.........

[@OhioTropics]

Check out my comprehensive moth orchid care course here: bit.ly/3SalVoW

[@barneyjones5325]

the ice thing was excessive.Not to worry..I'll never use ice cubes...

[@barneyjones5325]

Have you thought about auditioning for a soda commercial!

[@OhioTropics]

Hahahaha