HELP please submerging orchid

[Marijn]

I know I have to submerge my orchid in water once a week, but I've forgotten how long I have to submerge it for. Is it five mins? Or is that too long? TIA

[rowanwitch]

thats roughly how long I do mine for...I have forgotten and they've been soaked for an hour with no ill effects its ensuring they can drain well afterwards that is important

[Marijn]

Ah, thanks Rowanwitch, I didn't realise it had to be drained. I submerged it in the clear plastic pot which has holes at the bottom, but put it straight back into the outer pot. Should I leave it on the drainer for a min befrore putting it back in it's outer pot? Or longer?

[Brinjal]

They like a very good soaking and as rowanwitch has said let them drain. They dont like to sit in water.

[jomifl]

They prefer rain water preferably not cold. Leaving it in soak for up to an hour will not harm it as long as you let it drain afterwards. Do not be tempted to use fertilizer unless its pukka orchid fertilizer as normal fertilizer is about 10 times too concentrated.

[Marijn]

How long should it drain for before it goes back into it's outer pot? I love having my orchid. Thanks for all the answers.

[jomifl]

10 mins. should be plenty

[Marijn]

Thank you, that's great.

[Answerprancer]

My Dad grows a large variety of orchids in his three-section greenhouse (hot/int/cool) he always just dunks the pot right up and over the rim for a few seconds, lifts it out and puts it back on the staging. This is normally done as and when the roots/bark-chip/osmunda fibre start getting dry
Yes definitely ONLY rainwater.

[Brinjal]

I use tap water. We get a rainy season so bring them under cover as there can be too much water and during ter dry season they go outside and get watered once a week with tap water.

[Marijn]

Thanks for all the info.

[jomifl]

Tap water is OK if the water is soft otherwise use rainwater at least occasionally.

[Marijn]

Ok, Thank you.