While orchids are a pretty plant, trying to make them grow isn’t easy. Luckily, it looks like TikToker Deanna (@deannabombchica) has cracked the code.
“God bless the woman on this app who told me that the orchid industry puts your orchids like this so they literally die and don’t grow again, and you have to throw them away and buy them again,” she began. While speaking, she showed users dry-looking orchids crammed into white pots.
As she explained, another TikToker had shown her the way to make her orchids thrive and survive: take the orchids out of the pots, remove the dirt, and place them and their roots into water-filled vases by the window, where they can get sunlight.
“They love our windows,” she added. “They love indirect light. Let’s see what happens with these babies.”
In the comments, many users remarked that they did the same thing with orchids. “I did this method too and my old flower stalk that was still green is now shooting a new flower stem I have 3 new leaves as well,” one wrote. “Insane.”
“My six orchids loveeeee being in water and have rebloomed,” another shared. While a third added, “I have been growing my orchids in water for over 10 years. They love it!”
However, not everyone was sure about putting your orchids in water. “No, no no don’t put the roots in water,” one commenter said. “You can lightly wash the roots, but do not put the roots in water.”
“Just an idea, you could also get rid of chlorine with the aquarium de-chlorine additive which is super cheap and easy to use,” another advised. “I know orchids [are] sensitive.”
A sixth noted: “Use a lot less water or the roots will rot!”
@deannabombchica Save your orchids! #fyp #foryou #orchid #plants #hacks #tips #tricks ♬ original sound – ✨Deanna ✨
Can you put orchids in water?
In posts asking for advice on the r/orchids subreddit, several users advised against growing orchids in water. At this point, it’s worth noting that orchids are considered epiphytes: a plant that grows on the surface of another plant. If you grow orchids without soil and just water, this is a practice known as hydroponics, though it is more commonly known in the orchid community as ‘water culture.’
In response to one Reddit user, who tried to grow their orchid in this way, a user said, “Epiphytes are not suited for full hydroponics. The roots need to breathe air, or they die.” In a similar post, another commenter advised: ” Orchids […] are the one plant where this growing method is not ideal.” A third remarked that water culture growing “will asphyxiate the plant,” while a fourth echoed: “You’re killing it.”
However, not all Redditors were against water culture.
“Water culture has a bad rep I feel but it works for me,” a fifth Redditor noted. “It’s trial and error (as is growing orchids in traditional medium) of what your orchid likes for watering schedule, fertilizer requirements, lighting conditions etc.”
While a sixth wrote, “It can be done, but roots that aren’t adapted to it will just drown. If you want to do water you’re better off with a leca and wick to a reservoir setup.”
So, is the TikToker right? Is there really some conspiracy where Big Orchid wants all our plants to die? The truth is, it’s a little complicated, but what we do know is that while water culture is a semi-popular method in the orchid community, it clearly comes with risks to be aware of. The answer, it seems, may well be a mixture of both.
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