Watering...

watering
As epiphyt, the habitat most orchids get water from dew and rain water.
Because it comes from evaporation, rain water contains lots of useful substances as nutrients for plants. Precipitation is slightly acidic (pH around 5.5-6.5) is very good for orchids.
But based on the research, the rain water in some areas in Indonesia is becoming akhir2 acidic (pH less than 5). To be suitable for orchids, its pH should be raised (See: Aneka tips).
Water quality is very important for the growth of orchids. Do not use water that is not clean (contamination) such as river water, wastewater, etc..
Orchids should not be lack or excess water. Excess water here does not mean much but the water that poured penyiramannya frequency. Flush only when plants need it.

The main problem for most beginners is excessive watering, because the media saw a dry surface when the media is still wet bottom.
The frequency of watering depends on:
• Age of orchids:
orchid during the flowering growth or require more water.
• orchid species:
Example: Phalaenopsis not be short of water because it does not have Pseudobulb (pseudo bulbs) as water storage organs, while having Pseudobulb Cattleya, watered when the medium is dry.
• planting media type:
good medium rare bind more water because of long dry penyiramannya (fern dries slower than charcoal).
• Pot size:
media in small pots dries faster than the pot size larger.
• conditions:
conditions one place to another place is different, which affects the speed of drying media.
Example: orchids, ferns are placed on boards or hung more frequent watering because the faster drying.
• The temperature, light and humidity:
the higher the temperature the more frequent watering, the higher the humidity the more rarely watered. If the sun decreases, reduce penyiramannya.
Excess water can cause rotting at the roots, thus eliminating the ability of plants to absorb water because of damage to the roots. Sign of the excess water is the root of the dark-colored and soft, if prolonged would be rotten.
Conversely, lack of water will cause dehydration and consequently the plants become thin and limp leaves.
Trunk or pseudo bulbs (Pseudobulb) the contract is a sign the plant is less able to absorb water. This could be caused by too much watering before so akar2nya decay. Or if akar2nya healthy, because it is less in penyiramannya.
At the time of flush water that may have lived in sela2 leaves, base of leaves or new shoots. If the water is settled overnight and the temperature became cold and damp will encourage the emergence of bacteria and fungi that can spoil the leaves that eventually can kill orchids.
Watering ordinances are recommended:
• Flush only when a sunny day. If cloudy or rainy, better penyiramannya postponed.
• Flush early as possible so that the remaining water left in the sela2 leaves or young shoots dry before nightfall.
• Flush with water temperature was. Do not flush the plants with water that is too cold or hot.
• Sprinkle the top of all the plants and planting media to water down and out again through the hole under the pot.
• Do not put the pot down a mean composite to save watering (water from the above pots down into the pot below it) because if the potted orchids on top of the infected / infectious fungi on orchid would be underneath.
• water pressure when watering not too strong so as not to damage the plants.
Orchid consists of various kinds (genus) and the above information is to orchids in general.