Orchids are splendid tropical plants. 

They are particularly appreciated for their beautiful flowers with a unique shape, capable of giving elegance to any room in the house.

Generally, the orchid has a rosette of fleshy leaves with an oval and elongated leaf, from which one or more stems develop on which numerous flowers bloom.

In some orchids, the flowers are tiny, while others are characterized by larger, more showy blooms. In addition to the size, the shape and color of the flowers can also vary: the flowers of orchids can take on countless shades from white to blue, passing from pink to yellow and orange, and many varieties also have streaked and spotted flowers that give a wonderful effect.

The orchid plant is undoubtedly among the most beautiful flowers and is a plant that loves humid environments.

Hydroculture: Can orchids grow without soil?

Hydroculture, or hydroponics, is a cultivation method that allows you to grow a plant without the use of soil. Thanks to this alternative system based on aquaculture, it is possible to grow orchids only with the help of water.

Which Orchid to Choose

Not all varieties of orchids can be grown with this method, so it is important to choose the right orchid for hydroculture. 

The ideal is to choose a phalaenopsis orchid: it is the most common genus that you can find at the florist. The name refers to the similarity of the flower to the butterfly; this type of orchid is quite resistant and tends to bloom regularly.

The phalaenopsis orchid is an epiphytic plant. Epiphytic plants live on other plants, using them as a support to grow. Contrary to what one might think, there is no mention of a “parasitic” plant since the epiphytes do not use other plants to obtain nourishment. In fact, they nourish themselves independently thanks to the aerial roots from which they absorb what they need. This genus of plants, therefore, does not need soil to live.

Everything You Need For Cultivation

To try your hand at hydroponics, you need a few specific things. Here is a small list:

• A Phalaenopsis Orchid
• A vase
• Expanded clay or Perlite (the substrate)
• Fertilizer for hydroculture

Choose the Right Vase

If you choose this type of cultivation because you like the idea of showing the roots of the plant, it is important for the ideal container to be a transparent one. 

Among other things, transparency is essential to allow the light to reach the roots, thus keeping your plant in good health. 

The ideal is therefore to choose glass containers or at most plastic containers. In this second case, it is better to opt for a quality one, otherwise, it could indelibly stain with limestone and ruin the composition. 

Also, if you can, use a double bottom floating pot, which provides good drainage via drainage holes.

As for the shape, they could all fit. Considering, however, the fact that the plant is never large, a vase with a rounded shape that widens in the center and narrows at the mouth will help you keep the upper part straight. With a wide mouth vase, it would tend to bend according to flowering.

Now let’s take a look at the step-by-step process for growing orchids in the water.

How to Grow Orchids in Water

1) Clean the vase

The first thing to do is to clean and disinfect the vase thoroughly. Then, disinfect the entire vessel with a cotton swab or a cloth soaked in ethyl alcohol. 

It is also a good idea to clean with equal parts white vinegar and water, and rubbing the inside of the container well with a sponge; then rinse.

2) Clean the plant well

Now carefully remove the orchid from the packaging where it is stored, being very careful not to damage it. It is very delicate. Proceed by cleaning the roots of compost residues or impurities, also spritzing it with a light jet of water. 

In the case of dead or diseased roots, it is advisable to remove them, cutting them with sterilized scissors or shears.

This procedure is very important as any residual soil, compounds, or dead roots could lead to disease, mold, or rot in the plant!

3) Plant the orchid

It’s time to add the substrate. For this you can use expanded clay or perlite. Take the chosen one and fill the jar about halfway full. Then put the plant back in the pot, being very careful to place the roots well spread out for the entire circumference of the pot. Finally, add more mixture up to about 2 centimeters (3/4 inches) from the edge.

4) Water

Adding water is essential! The plant needs to drink, so take a watering can and add about 2 centimeters of water to the orchid pot. Do not be afraid that the water does not reach the roots; in the following days, the substrate will get wet and the water will reach the roots by capillary action nourishing them. It is good to always keep the water level constant, as it tends to drop over time.  In addition, remember to use room temperature water.

5) Unearth

As for the needs of exposure, the orchid in hydroponics is no different from that grown with the traditional method. This is why you will need to keep your orchid in a bright place, but not in direct sunlight. 

The ideal is a windowsill with opaque glass or covered with semi-transparent curtains. It is sufficient to place them in a corner of the house facing south or east, sheltering them with something that allows the light to pass without exposing them directly to the sun’s rays. 

Light (as for other plants) is fundamental for the health and growth of the orchid; the lack of lighting means the lack of flowering. The optimal temperature oscillates between 20 and 22 degrees Celsius (68 to 71 degrees Fahrenheit).

6) Fertilize

The substrate with expanded material does not offer the plant any supply of mineral salts or what it needs. And the absence of soil leads to a lack of nutrients. For this reason, fertilizing the plant is essential and it is necessary to use a fertilizer to be dissolved directly in the water, i.e., liquid or water-soluble fertilizer. It is preferable to use a specific one, however, the universal one can be fine; the important thing is to use a tenth of what is written on the package.

Each time you water the plant, it will be essential to add fertilizer to the water.

This way, your orchid will always have a source of nutrients to draw from and will grow into a beautiful and healthy plant.

How do you fertilize orchids in water culture?

Here are some of the best rated liquid fertilizers readily available online:

1. BudJuice 100% Advanced Premium Liquid Organic Fertilizer
   • It is a liquid fertilizer
   • Listed for Organic Use
   • Larger number of flowers
2. SMEREKA – Orchid Plant Food Fertilizer Mist
   • Mineral Nutrients to Support and Prolong Flowering
   • NPK: 0.02%-0.02%-0.02%
3. Scotts Miracle-Gro Orchid Plant Food Mist
   • Instantly provides nutrients and moisture
   • Spray around leaves, roots, and soil
     

Either way, it is advisable to make a quick price comparison before ordering online by carefully reviewing product reviews and ratings.

If, on the other hand, you are a fan of “do it yourself” and prefer to opt for a homemade fertilizer, you could use a nice banana pulp.

You will simply have to take a banana peel, wash it and cut it into small pieces. Then, put the pieces in a bowl with 2 liters of water to steep for about 48 hours. At the end of this period, strain the mixture. The liquid obtained will have absorbed all the nutrients of the banana peel; you can use it to water your orchids!

Growing and being able to make orchids bloom, keeping them luxuriant over time, is not always easy, but if you respect the needs of the plant you can enjoy the wonderful orchid blooms for a long time!

Can You Grow Orchids Only In Water

So far we have talked about hydroculture, the method by which to grow orchids in water, but of course there are other methods of cultivation of this wonderful plant!

Some types of orchids (such as the Paphiopedilums and Cymbidiums variety) grow in the ground, but most varieties of this plant grow well in contact with the air rather than the ground. Their roots (very thick and fleshy) are covered with a white layer called velamen, which acts as a sponge to allow the plant to absorb the water it needs. This particular coating also protects the roots from heat and moisture loss.

The soil in which orchids are grown must provide good air circulation and allow the water to drain very quickly. At the same time, it must provide the roots with something safe to hold on to. For this, a substrate made of moss-sphagnum, fir bark, dried fern roots, rock wool, perlite, cork nuggets, stones, coir, lava rock, or a mixture that combines many of these materials is generally used. Generally speaking, the spruce bark substrate is the most used and widespread growing medium!

Even when it is not used as the main means of cultivation, as with all other plants, water is essential for the orchid to grow healthily and allow its flowers to bloom and flourish!

Watering the Plants – How long should orchids sit in water?

If you are a traditionalist and hydroponics does not appeal to you, you will still want to use it anyway to water your potted orchids. And to keep them more beautiful and last longer. The preferred watering technique of the orchid is that which involves immersing the pot where the plant is in water for about thirty or more minutes; gently remove them from the ground, shake the orchid roots and immerse in water (if they are very dense even for several hours). Then let it drain and air dry for more than an hour, finally bringing the plant back to its usual place. This allows the water to penetrate every point of the orchid’s dense roots and then avoid stagnation with dripping.

Common Pitfalls – Useful recommendations for not making mistakes

Here are the most common mistakes made in orchid cultivation!

1. Choose a common soil: as already outlined, if you do not opt for hydroculture, these plants need special soil.
2. The choice of the vase: never choose too big of a vase! Normally an orchid does not overgrow. In a few cases, the plant could have considerable dimensions, and only in this circumstance, a larger pot will be appropriate. Roots growing out from the stem or out of the pot may indicate that a larger pot is needed. But as a rule, orchids prefer to have a root system that develops in small spaces.
3. Place the plant on balconies or terraces: as reported above, for a good result the orchid must ensure a good source of continuous light throughout the day, without being in direct contact with it. It is also a plant that prefers a tropical climate; it’s much better if they are kept indoors, especially if it is not too hot outside! Furthermore, it should not be forgotten that this plant prefers a consistent temperature and does not respond well to excessive temperature changes between day and night.
4. Throw away orchids if they lose flowers: The loss of flowers does not indicate the death of the plant. It’s just part of its natural life process. Don’t be alarmed when this occurs and don’t throw away the orchids!

Remember to maintain the right levels of light, temperature, and humidity (now while this naturally applies to all plants grown indoors, for orchids, this is even more important because they are usually more delicate than other plants.

Do not overdo the irrigation: it will seem absurd, but most orchids are damaged by excess water due to too frequent and/or too abundant irrigation! A trick to understanding if irrigation is necessary? Lift the pot and if you feel it light, give the plant water; on the contrary, if it feels heavy, avoid it. If in doubt, it is best not to give too much water to the plant and postpone for a few days.

Since orchids (unlike other plants) cannot be grown in traditional soil, but in a bark substrate created specifically for them, the nutrients provided with fertilization are essential for their survival. It is always good to remember that you must never irrigate at the same time as fertilization! Furthermore, you must avoid fertilizing when the soil (or other substrate) is completely dry, therefore you must constantly monitor the humidity levels and make sure that the plant is never completely dry.

The orchid needs special attention, but if you respect the precautions, it will be satisfying to see its luxuriant flowers give you the unique elegance that distinguishes this plant!