An orchid generally needs water once a week during the winter and twice a week when the weather turns warm and dry. An orchid shouldn't go longer than two to three weeks without water; it will start dying.
How often you water an orchid depends on the species and the environment they're kept in, but, on average, most orchids can be watered once a week to every 10 days. Just be careful not to oversaturate them. “In general, orchid plants need much less water than the average consumer would think.
Allow the plant to drain for 30 minutes before returning it to its spot. This method helps to ensure that the growing medium can fully absorb water. You can soak healthy plants, but it's also good for plants that have been underwatered and need help recovering.
An orchid generally needs water once a week during the winter and twice a week when the weather turns warm and dry. An orchid shouldn't go longer than two to three weeks without water; it will start dying.
How long can an orchid go without drying out? Most orchids will survive for two to three weeks (a typical vacation period) without watering, occasionally up to one month. Cattleyas, Dendrobiums, and Phalaenopsis all will survive with up to three weeks of not watering as long as their medium is maintained moist.
The main signs that your plant could be dead are if you see mushy roots or yellow leaves that are faded or blotchy. In addition, if you notice dropped leaves and it is not as evergreen as always, it is also a sign that your plant is dying.
Both overwatering and under-watering will cause damage to the root system of your orchid and eventually lead to dehydration. You will know your orchid is dehydrated when you see that its bottom leaves are yellow and wilted, and its buds are falling off instead of opening (bud blast).
Regular tap water is fine, as long as it isn't softened with salts. Room temperature water is best, but you can water your orchid with ice cubes without harming the plant. About once a week, place up to three ice cubes on top of the potting medium, preferably where the cubes don't touch the leaves.
You may also want to mist the orchid with a spray bottle daily. Misting gives the orchid more humidity but does not create a soggy root environment. It is best to put your orchid where it will receive medium indirect sunlight.
Unlike most houseplants, you don't need to keep orchid moss evenly moist; if it stays too moist, the orchid can rot. You can also water your orchid like a traditional houseplant – just apply a splash of water to the moss once every seven to 10 days.
Typically, orchids live for 20-25 years if grown indoors, though the life span of an orchid plant surely depends on how attentive its grower is and how well it's cared for.
In general, water once a week during the winter and twice a week when the weather turns warm and dry. The size of your orchid container also helps determine how often you need to water, regardless of climate conditions. Typically, a 6-inch pot needs water every 7 days and a 4-inch pot needs water every 5 to 6 days.
To master watering orchids, it is essential to water from above with fresh, pure water. For orchids with water storage, pseudobulbs, water when the potting mix is approaching dry.
Perhaps soak your orchid for 24 hours then let it dry for 24 hours — and see if that improves things. If you need to fight off white mold, use 3% hydrogen peroxide — thoroughly spritz the roots to kill off bacteria and mold.
Whether you have unhealthy roots or initial signs of stem or crown rot, as long as you catch it early enough you can bring your orchid back to life. Most orchids can be saved by removing the plant from the pot and media and cutting off rotten roots (sometimes even most of the stem).
[Learn more about the orchid lifecycle]
All of this is normal. Your orchid is not dead! The plant is simply going through a natural period in its life cycle called dormancy. This dormant stage allows your orchid to rest and renew its energy before blooming again into a profusion of gorgeous new blossoms.
If it has leaves but no roots, there's a chance you can revive it. It will take time, however, as orchids can be slow to bounce back. Rooting hormones may help, but in many cases, you'll just have to be patient and practice a wait-and-see approach. An orchid with no leaves, however, is usually doomed.
Orchids flowers and buds fall off due to low humidity or if the temperature increases or decreases suddenly, most often because of indoor heating in Winter or dry air from air conditioning. It should be noted orchids naturally drop their flowers after 6-10 weeks as part of a natural cycle.
To get a new orchid flower spike, place the plant in an area with a lower room temp — about 55–65°F at night should do it. Placing your orchid in a window away from the heater might work, too. We've had best success getting new flower spikes in winter, when our homes and their windows aren't as warm.
After the flowers drop from the orchid you have three choices: leave the flower spike (or stem) intact, cut it back to a node, or remove it entirely. Remove the flower spike entirely by clipping it off at the base of the plant. This is definitely the route to take if the existing stem starts to turn brown or yellow.