Orchids will ‘flower like crazy’ with ‘new colours’ after gardener’s one ‘fantastic’ step (Image: Getty)
, a favourite among enthusiasts for their longevity, don’t have to be thrown away once their blooms fade. With a nifty trick, these plants can be coaxed into again, sometimes for years.
A member of the UK Facebook group revealed her secret to reviving an orchid that seemed past its prime, resulting in an explosion of blooms.
Katherine Reader shared her success story: “My mum gave me this orchid and it was in the reduced section at Tesco. It had one blue flower on it and then it fell off and I thought well that’s the end of that.”
But with a weekly routine, she saw remarkable results: “I’ve been putting an ice cube in the bottom once a week and it’s turned out bloody fantastic with new different coloured flowers. As you can see it’s flowering like crazy.”
The technique of watering orchids with ice cubes is touted by some green-fingered gurus as ideal for those who tend to overwater. The slow melting of the ice provides just the right amount of moisture for the plant without overwhelming it.
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The slow melting of the ice provides just the right amount of moisture for the plant (Image: Getty)
, a group of orchid experts, endorse this method, advising: “Continue to water your orchid with three ice cubes once a week.”
They also offer tailored advice depending on the size of the orchid: “If you have a petite orchid, use two cubes, and for a mini orchid use one.”
Gardeners with multiple plants in one pot need to ensure they each get their own ice cube, while debate rages among social media users about this unconventional watering method.
While some adore it, critics warn of potential drawbacks. Lisa Mitchell warned: “The leaves look super parched. Always best to water well when the roots are transparent in colour as the roots need to be green.”
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Some warned that by using ice cubes this leaves the plant super parched (Image: Getty)
Meanwhile, Daria Sz cautioned: “Beautiful flowers, but an ice cube is not enough (you can see your leaves are dehydrated, as well as you are risking ice burn on your roots).”
Concerns abound that chilly cubes might damage plant cells by freezing roots and foliage.
On the flip side, Love Orchids’ experts counter the fears, stating: “With orchids originating from the rain forest, where they enjoy hot and humid weather, we can see the reason for concern when it comes to the ice cube method.”
However, they add confidence in this technique, clarifying: “But from the studies conducted and our own experience, we know the ice cube method is a safe method of watering orchids.”
They reference research by The Ohio State University and the University of Georgia, which analysed orchid health over several months and concluded that those hydrated with ice showed no difference in flower longevity compared to those watered with room-temperature liquid.
The study also found that using ice cubes to water orchids is just as effective as conventional watering techniques.