For two years I watered my orchids wrong and ruined 8 of them

I used to dump ice cubes on my phalaenopsis every week because I read it online. Last month I repotted one and found all the roots were dead and mushy from rot. A guy at the local nursery in Austin told me orchids need lukewarm water and good drainage not ice. Now I soak them for 15 minutes once a week and the new roots are growing like crazy. Has anyone else fallen for this ice cube trick and lost plants?

2 comments

2 Comments

evah4022d ago

Ice cubes? Good grief, that's a terrible idea for any plant.

emma34922d ago

Oh wow, you actually might be onto something here. I'll be honest, I used to think ice cubes were a clever little hack for fussy ferns or something. But yeah, I can see now how shocking the roots with freezing cold water is probably not great. I did it with my peace lily once and it got all droopy and sad looking. Makes total sense that tropical plants don't want a frosty surprise.