TheNaturePlanet

Among many types of flowers, Phalaenopsis orchids have become the favorite of many flower enthusiasts due to their unique flower shapes and elegant temperaments. However, many novice flower enthusiasts often struggle with the watering problem of Phalaenopsis orchids. The most frequently asked questions are: Will Phalaenopsis orchids have root rot if watered frequently? Will they die if watered too frequently?
Phalaenopsis orchids belong to the Orchidaceae family and originally grew in tropical rainforests. Their root systems have certain particularities in terms of water requirements. The roots of Phalaenopsis orchids are fleshy roots, which have a relatively strong ability to store water, but at the same time, they are very sensitive to waterlogging. Once overwatered, and the roots remain in a moist state for a long time, it is likely to cause root rot, which in turn affects the growth and flowering of the plant.
When maintaining Phalaenopsis orchids, the watering principle of "water when the soil is dry and avoid overwatering" should be followed. That is, watering should only be carried out when the surface of the substrate is dry and the plant shows signs of water shortage. When watering, the soil should be thoroughly watered at one time, allowing the water to fully penetrate into all parts of the substrate, but waterlogging should be avoided. In addition, the frequency of watering is also affected by various factors such as seasons, temperature, and humidity. In spring and autumn, when the temperature is suitable and Phalaenopsis orchids grow rapidly, the watering frequency can be appropriately increased; while in summer with high temperatures and winter with low temperatures, Phalaenopsis orchids grow slowly, and the number of waterings should be reduced.
Reasons for root rot caused by frequent watering
Poor air permeability of the cultivation soil: If the soil with poor ventilation and drainage is used to plant Phalaenopsis orchids, when the amount of watering is excessive, it is easy to form waterlogging, resulting in root swelling and rot.
Invasion of pathogenic bacteria: In an environment with high temperature and humidity, pathogenic bacteria are likely to multiply. Frequent watering not only provides a good growth environment for pathogenic bacteria but may also cause the pathogenic bacteria to invade the roots through the water flow, leading to root rot.
Root oxygen deficiency: Frequent watering will cause the roots to be in a moist state for a long time, affecting the respiration of the roots, resulting in root oxygen deficiency, and then causing root rot.
Once root rot is found in Phalaenopsis orchids, measures should be taken immediately for treatment. The specific steps are as follows:
Remove from the pot and trim the roots: Take the plant out of the pot, wash the roots with clean water, and use scissors to cut off all the rotten roots, leaving the healthy roots.
Disinfection treatment: Soak the trimmed roots in a potassium permanganate solution with a concentration of 2% for about 10 minutes. After drying, apply plant ash to the cut for disinfection treatment.
Disinfection of the potting soil: Pour boiling water through the potting soil for disinfection treatment, and reuse it after cooling. You can also replace it with new potting soil to ensure that the substrate has good air permeability and drainage.
Replant: Replant the treated plant into the potting soil. Pay attention to compacting the root and stem area. After watering, place it in a shady place for maintenance. Gradually increase the light and the number of waterings after the plant recovers its growth.
Frequent watering can indeed lead to root rot in Phalaenopsis orchids, and in severe cases, it may even lead to the death of the plant. Therefore, when maintaining Phalaenopsis orchids, the watering principle of "water when the soil is dry and avoid overwatering" should be strictly followed, and the watering frequency and amount should be reasonably adjusted according to factors such as seasons, temperature, and humidity. At the same time, a substrate with good air permeability and drainage should be selected for planting to provide a good growth environment for Phalaenopsis orchids.