Overwatering can kill your orchid, so it’s important to prevent the roots from sitting in soggy soil. Phalaenopsis and paphiopedilums should be watered before the soil completely dries out, while cattleyas and oncidiums need the soil to dry completely between waterings. [2] X Research source Contrary to popular belief, you should not water your orchid with ice. It’s not the only way to avoid overwatering your orchid, and the cold ice can stress the plant and decrease its lifespan. [3] X Research source
Make sure the fertilizer contains little to no urea. Another option is to fertilize your orchid once per week, right after you water it, by diluting a balanced fertilizer safe for use with container plants down to 1/4 strength, to further reduce the risk of feeding it too much at one time. [13] X Research source
