TIL I was killing my orchids by watering them from the top (not the bottom) for 2 years straight

I had this beautiful phalaenopsis orchid from a nursery in Portland that kept dropping buds before they opened. Took a picture to a local botany meetup (they do it every first Thursday) and the guy running the group immediately asked if I was getting water in the crown. Sure enough, I was pouring directly into the center leaves like a dummy. Has anyone else had a plant habit that just wrecked stuff for way too long before you figured it out?

2 comments

2 Comments

irisw731mo ago

Watering from the bottom fixed my peace lily that kept getting brown tips. It's crazy how one simple change can make such a difference in a plant's health.

hart.ryan1mo ago

Bottom watering saved my peace lily too. I was getting so frustrated with those brown tips no matter how careful I was with tap water. Once I switched to letting it soak up from the tray for about 30 minutes, the new leaves came in perfect. Just make sure you let it drain completely afterwards, sitting in water too long will rot the roots. It's wild how such a little change makes all the difference.