Causes and prevention of rotten roots of orchids: water quality

The water quality is not cured or the pH value of the water is not suitable.

The water for orchids must be clean and unpolluted. If unclean water is used, some harmful bacteria or toxins will erode and pollute the roots of orchids, causing serious diseases of roots and stems and leaves, blackening and decay of roots and death of orchids. The PH value of orchid water must be between 5.5 and 6.5. if the PH value is less than 5, it belongs to acidity, which will restrict the orchid root to absorb nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other main elements. In the acidic environment, soil sexually transmitted bacteria such as root rot are the most suitable for growth and reproduction, endangering the root system to accelerate the decay and death of orchid roots; the PH value above 8 is slightly alkaline, alkaline water and substrate will cause obstacles to the absorption of trace elements needed for the growth of orchid plants, and orchid roots and orchid plants will die gradually if they do not get the nourishment of trace elements.

The water for watering orchids must be clean. Contaminated water and unclean water cannot be used. According to many orchid books, streams and rivers are the most suitable for orchids to grow, but most orchids live in cities and do not operate orchid gardens professionally, so it is difficult to do so. Watering orchids with tap water, the author from years of practice, the effect is also very good, if possible, put tap water in buckets or pots for a few days, so that the chlorine in the water volatilized that is even better. If you use spring water or pond water to water orchids, you should pay attention to using PH test paper to test the pH of the base, PH value is less than 5, alkaline substances such as lime can be added to adjust, PH value is more than 6.5, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, citric acid and so on can be used to adjust. (Yang Shizhang)