Should You Water Your Orchids with Ice?
That’s a question I’ve been presented with quite often lately. As Phalaenopsis orchids become ever more popular and available just about anywhere plants are sold, I’ve noticed that most are tagged with information to ‘just add ice’. For those who have grown orchids for awhile, this advice seems to defy all logic. Phalaenopsis orchids are tropical! Do they get ice cold water on their roots in south-east Asian jungles where they originate? Hardly! So, why ice? One possible reason is that many of us who have Phalaenopsis grow them in fairly consistent temperatures inside our houses. To grow a new flower spike, these orchids (as with many other varieties) require a cooling period where the temperatures fluctuate from the high 50’s, low 60’s to the low 80’s. Most of our houses rarely see those temperature variations in the winter so setting a new flower spike can be challenging. I grow my orchids in a greenhouse and usually have no problems initiating a new flower spike each winter. What’s the solution- ice? Why not? Cold, dripping water directly on the roots may just simulate the temperature drop that Phalaenopsis needs. I’ve heard from many people both believers and non-believers in the ice conundrum. Do you have a Phalaenopsis at home that hasn’t produced a new flower spike this year? Try ice and let us know what happens.
Phalaenopsis bellina
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May 5th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
This is very true! i have two phalenopsis orchids both were not flowering or getting new buds… until i started putting three ice cubes a week now I have new buds coming and I’m so excited to see them bloom.
July 11th, 2009 at 8:56 am
I could not get my orchids to reproduce untill I used the ice cube method
July 11th, 2009 at 8:57 am
I’m about to get some new blooms too!
July 29th, 2009 at 11:06 am
I received my orchid for Mother’s Day. My husband gave it to me. I just love it. My orchid is still blooming, I give it 3 ice cubes a week, I now have the start of 2 new buds.
August 6th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
thank you for using my comment but you spelled my name wrong yatteau
August 8th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Should all 3 ice cubes be used in one watering? Or does it matter if you water with 1 ice cube and the next day another ice cube and the 3rd day the last ice cube? Is it more beneficial to put all 3 ice cubes in at one time? Thanks for your input….
August 18th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
i have phals, cattlyeas, vandas, etc under grow lights in my home. this is the first time i’ve heard of watering orchids with ice cubes. this is interesting. any info you can provide will be helpful. thank you.
August 26th, 2009 at 11:44 am
I would not try the ice method on any other orchids except Phals which apparently do tend to bloom after a brief ‘chilling’ period. We have no trouble getting our Cattleyas, Dendrobiums and other complex hybrids to bloom, so if you want to use ice, use it only on your phals.
Good luck!
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:41 pm
My “just add ice orchid ” is beautiful, it was a gift just a few days ago and I am concerened about all the roots that are on top of the pot it is planted in. Should they be covered with soil or ignored? Maybe a bigger pot? Please reply.
Thank you
September 3rd, 2009 at 8:31 pm
I only received my ice orchid a few days ago. This web site was given to be and seems helpful if you would like to look at it. Good Luck. Char
ryan@orchidsmadeeasy.com
September 5th, 2009 at 10:26 am
You do not need to cover your orchid roots with the media. There are other roots that are in the media already. The roots on top need air circulation. Orchids are epiphytes- they need good air circulaiton around their roots, or they will rot. That is why many orchids are grown in a bark mix. The bark provides excellent drainage.
September 18th, 2009 at 9:56 am
My daughter pulled all my flowers from the stems. I am all panic because I don’t know what to do to have my beautiful plant growing/blooming again. Please advise. Thank you.
September 23rd, 2009 at 8:42 am
Sometimes, the originial spike will produce another flower spike half way down the stem. Don’t cut off the old spike unless it turns completely brown, then cut it off at the base. Since your phal was flowering at this time, it’s unlikely that it will produce another spike this winter, but don’t give up on it. It will either produce a flower spike on the old one, or a new one will grow out from the base. If you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to call us at 216 707 2824. Good luck!
October 4th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
I just got my orchid today. It looks crowded in the pot. I was wondering if it should be repotted???
October 4th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
I just got my orchid today. It seems rather crowded in the pot. Should it be repotted??
October 7th, 2009 at 7:06 am
I would not repot any orchids right now. Repotting should be done in the spring when the roots can heal and have an entire summer of growth ahead of them.
October 19th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
A couple of months ago, I repotted two phals and about that time heard of the 3 ice cube watering method. When I repotted, both plants had thick, healthy roots. After a while, I noticed the uppermost roots looking pinched and wasted. I tried covering them with a few bits of bark to keep the ice away from them, but the roots seemed to continue looking less healthy. This week I decided to go back to “flush” watering to see if the roots would regain their vigour. I am concerned the plants will not survive and am becoming a “helicopter” orchid parent!
October 20th, 2009 at 10:24 am
I just purchased 2 ‘just add ice orchids’ yesterday! I am so excited and pleased with the beauty of the plant. I live in an apartment with a nice amount of natural light, however, to keep out of direct light I am considering placing each on either side of my sofa on end tables near lamps. Is this a good idea. Are they good indoor plants?
November 14th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
My husband likes to use the “ice cube method” I agree that it’s a very tidy method…. and he does tend to overfill thus flooding my bay window with traditional watering. My concern is that our ice maker uses tap water. Will the clorine etc harm the phals?
November 29th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
I bought my phal about 2 months ago at which time it had 13 blossoms. On Thanksgiving all of the blossoms fell off after having been in bloom for a long time. I have cut back the tall stem to below the browning area and above a bud. I am keeping the phal next to aa window to cool it down to the low 60s to encourage it to make a new shoot and bloom again. Question: For how long should the phal be allowed to cool? When should it receive orchid fertilizer? The ceramic pot in which my orchid came has no draainage hole in the bottom. Any problem with this? The ice cube meethod of watering which I have been using completely prevents overwatering.
Your answers will be much appreciated. Thank you. How do I find this website Q and A section again?
December 1st, 2009 at 10:23 am
Hi,
Let me address your questions:
Even if the upper most roots become shriveled, the roots in the bark mix may still be healthy. Unpot your phal and look at all the roots. Are some of the healthy? Remember, it gets pretty dry in our houses this time of year and orchids like humidity, but they don’t want to be overwatered. If the plant continues to decline, it’s probably your bark that has completely broken down. You’ll need to repot in the spring.
Phals will do ok in the house for a week, but then they’ll start to get unhappy. They don’t like dry, dark conditions. Move them closer to your windows and make sure they’re sitting on a tray with moisture to raise the humidity. The other issue is temperature. Phals prefer warmer temps (in the 70’s).
We water our orchids with regular city water. The salts in the water are not high enough to be detrimental to orchids.
The normal cooling off period that many houses go through is usually enough for a phal to set spike. I wouldn’t fertilize right now- not until spring, when the days are getting longer. If you feel you must fertilize, then dilute it to 1/4 strength and then only fertilize once per month. If the orchid has no drainage hole, that’s a serious problem. The water has to be able to drain if you want to maintain the health of your orchid. Good luck!
December 28th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Hi…I got a ice cube orchid and was wondering if the 3 ice cubes a week is enough water for it.It is in a 8 X 5 pot.
January 4th, 2010 at 10:30 am
i bought my ice cube orchid about a month ago and it has done really well, however, it is starting to drop blooms. i set it next to a window the other day, could a draft be my problem? please send advice, this is my first orchid and i’m totally in love with it!
January 18th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
I have a question, maybe a silly question at that. Am I suppose to put the ice cubes on top of the plant or in the bottom of the pot.
January 21st, 2010 at 1:21 pm
I recieved a just add ice orchid for Christmas..it is producing flowers and buds..but..I notice that the roots are drying up..it is in a cermaic pot with no drain hole..the bark appears dry..I have been misting the area around the plant each morning..my humitity in the house runs around 55 % and the temps are even in the upper 60’s..it is in a east window with indirect light..what should I do?
January 22nd, 2010 at 9:47 am
Hi,
I’m happy to answer your questions.
22- Three ice cubes per week should be enough for your orchid. If the leaves start to become soft, then increase the number of cubes.
23- If your orchid is dropping blooms, that could be natural. They are in bloom for a few months but can sometimes last longer than that. If you have a cold draft, move the orchid away from it. Phals don’t like cold, dry air!
24- You place the ice cubes on top of the bark mix underneath the leaves, not on the bottom of the pot. As the ice metls, the water drips slowly through the bark mix.
25- If the roots shrivel a little, it’s not a problem. However, misting the roots only is not enough water for your orchid. You either need to place ice cubes on the top of the soil or water as you would any plant once per week. Either way, you need to place your orchid in a pot with a drainage hole. If your orchid sits in water, it will rot and die quickly.
February 13th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
Okay so yesterday i got an orchid and its starting to wilt, I gave it 3 ice cubes and now i dont know what to do. I dont want to kill it.
February 21st, 2010 at 1:10 pm
I just got may orchid and think the ice method will be perfect for me. It does seem overcrowded in the pot and I wonder when it should be repotted and do you do the one size larger pot?
Thak you,
Judith Baue
February 21st, 2010 at 1:12 pm
I just got my orchid and am excited about the ice method of watering. The plant does look overcrowded in its pot and am wondering if you repot once a year, and one size larger pot?
Thank you
Judith Baue
April 6th, 2010 at 10:34 am
I received my beautiful white (Phal?) last July as a gift. I give 6 cubes every Wednesday, and it’s beautiful and thriving! A friend visited recently and said she was jealous of my orchid, as she has not luck at all with them. I never did before either, but here is what is going on with this one.
It is in a sunroom which is quite warm in the summer, and cold in the winter. The room is heated and cooled but not very well, especially in the winter months here in Ohio. Several months ago, in the dead of winter, I gave 1 tablespoon of orchid food rather than cubes that Wednesday. The plant was not blooming at the time, and apparently that was ok, as she seems happy!
I just want to make sure that I did the right thing. Of course it’s lovely and full of blooms, but is that the correct way to care for this orchid in the future?
It initially bloomed for six full months, and I was surprised and pleased to say the least! Is there anything else I should do?
Any tips would be most appreciated!
Thank You!
Pam
May 3rd, 2010 at 8:41 am
wow interesting. This is the first time I’ve heard of the ice method. So, from what I’m understanding I should “water” my phal. orchid once a week with a couple ice cubes at its base.
When specifically do I give the ice?
a. All year round
b. just in the winter
c. when the orchid is in bloom
d. when the orchid is not in bloom
Hmmm… I have a oncidium (Sherry’s baby) that hasn’t bloomed in a couple years. 6 years ago it was the most beautiful thing with many show worthy spikes. But times got busy and sabbaticals of a couple weeks duration meant it had to fend for itself at times these past couple years (I live near humid Miami and would put it outside in the shade of a large tree). But still it’s had to survive a few droughts and has the old shrived pseudobulbs to prove it. It’s been well cared for this past year though, has new growth, but still won’t spike. I decided to try giving it more sun (it’s been on a covered back porch, now its in a south facing area with bright but filtered sun light), but it there something else I can do? Would the ice method light its fire?
Thanks! I appreciate the advice.
May 4th, 2010 at 10:47 am
The company that sells the Phals under the ‘Just Add Ice’ brand recommends three cubes once per week throughout the year. I understand that this method works quite well for the casual orchid grower. However, I’m not so sure that watering with ice is necessary year round. The reason why people have had such good success with ice is that it helps the phal to set a new flower spike year after year. They need a cold period to set spike. I think that if you water with ice in the late summer/early fall, you will induce your phal (or maybe even your sharry baby) to set spike later that winter. In Miami, achieving a cool period is alot harder than it is here up north!
Try it and let us know if it works.
Good luck!
June 2nd, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Thank you for the comments! Our ice cube watering method offers a safe and easy way to care for phalaenopsis orchids. The easiest way to kill an orchid is to overwater it and by using 3 ice cubes a week, phalaenopsis orchids receive the perfect amount of premeasured water each week.
Using ice provides the roots with a slow-drip watering process that allows the orchid roots to slowly soak up the moisture and prevents water from sitting in the bottom of the pot. While this method has been tested thoroughly and successfully for Just Add Ice phalaneopsis orchids, it may not be right for other kinds of plants. We encourage you to try this watering method for yourself!
June 25th, 2010 at 11:41 am
my orchid is beautiful!! i water it once a week with 3 ice cubes and have had it for about 5 months now…
June 26th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
I just love this question and answer forum !! Thanks for the great info. I am going to try the ice cube method for watering my orchids ( I have been watering with bottled water and have had more luck that way ) Keeping them alive, but rarely a bloom. I was wondering how long does the orchids need to stay cool – could I place them in a cooler or the fridge overnight? Just the shock of the ice once a week is enough of a chill to do the trick. I would love any views on this.
June 26th, 2010 at 10:11 pm
How do I start another orchid? From a leave or blossom? BTW, I love the 3 ice cubes a week, sooooo easy and my orchid is beautiful.
June 26th, 2010 at 10:11 pm
sorry, I meant “leaf”
June 29th, 2010 at 11:09 am
Sometimes, you can start another Phalaenopsis if you get a new plantlet (called a kiki) on the old flower stalk. You’ll know that has happened because you’ll start to see tiny leaves and roots coming from one of the nodes on the flower spike of your original Phal. When the leaves get to be about 2 inches long, the entire small kiki can be removed and potted up in a small pot using orchid mix. Unlike African violets, you cannot start another orchid from a leaf or a flower. Orchids today are mostly started in a lab using tissue culture. Phals are most popular because they can be grown in mass quantities unilke many other orchids.
August 10th, 2010 at 11:19 pm
when it is done flowing do I cut it back or do I leave it alone? And do I give it 3 ice cubes a week all year long? thanks karen
August 10th, 2010 at 11:21 pm
sorry i ment when its done flowering
August 12th, 2010 at 11:22 am
When the Phal is finished flowering, do not cut back the stem until it turns yellowish-brown. In the meantime, the green stem may re-bloom later in the year or even next spring. Once the stem turns brown, cut it off at the base and wait for the new stem to arise further up on the orchid base. You could water with ice most of the year, but I would switch to regular water in the summer. The ice seems to help set a new spike in the late fall/early winter.
August 13th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
This forum is fabulous – never before heard of the “ice cube method” but it makes perfect sense for phals in terms of the cold period needed to re-bloom and preventing overwatering. Thanks folks for such an informative read!