Shopping Meditation Blog

“Heat stress is a condition that occurs in orchids and other plants when excessive heat causes an imbalance in transpiration, the process by which moisture evaporates from the plant’s tissues. When that rate of evaporation exceeds the pace at which moisture is being replaced through water taken up by the orchid’s roots, the plant becomes dehydrated — leaves soft and wilted, pseudobulbs wrinkled and ridged.” -AOS

Summer is here and it is time when you need to keep eye on your orchid placement and hydration. Be aware of dehydration and hit stress signs.

Last week I rescue one orchid which was planted in soil with black mulch and had sun burns on the lives. Ones again I realized that there are many people who does not know a bit about orchids care.

So sad to see that…any questions could be answered by simple internet search. YouTube is a great resource to use for any questions.

Couple tips for these who might find my post here and interested to learn a little bit about orchids care.

Different media and type of pots responding differently to water and heat. Clay pots, leca and lava rocks dries faster that bark, coconut husk and moss in plastic pots. Plastic pots should be placed into the cover pots to prevent the root burns.

If you see shriveled, desiccated yellowing leaves or reddish-purple tint or freckles it can indicate underwatering, sunburn or overheating dehydration. This may simply be due to the fact that you are not providing enough water for the orchid-pot-media-location combination or plant is under the heat stress.

I you noticed any signs of dehydration or sun burn first move plant to shaded location, than soak it with pot in clean water (distilled, rain) for 20-30 min. Start to water the plant more frequently but make sure all water dripped of the pot at the end, and roots are not sitting in water.

Orchid can show the similar signs of dehydration because of the poor roots condition which cannot transmit the water. This is another case and usually the result of overwatering, or old broken-down potting media which compacted around the roots. If orchid wasn’t re-potted for more than 2 years, consider checking the roots and repot it.

Summer is here! Just be aware of your plants condition and grow your orchids strong for future blooms.

Feel free to leave a comment or any questions you have.

If you local to DC, MD, VA area and would like to share your orchids’ experience and learn more from other, please join FB group https://www.facebook.com/groups/DMVOrchidsLovers/