Overheard a guy at the greenhouse say he waters his orchids with ice cubes...

I was at Pike's Nursery last Saturday picking up some fresh potting mix, and this older dude is explaining to his friend how he just tosses a few ice cubes on top of his orchid bark every week. I almost choked on my coffee. I get that it's a supposed "hack" people heard somewhere, but nobody mentions how that sudden cold shock near the roots can cause damage over time. Has anyone else actually tried this and seen problems, or am I overthinking it?

3 comments

3 Comments

daniel_lane3010d ago

I've actually used ice cubes on my phals for about two years now. No root damage, no cold shock issues. Just put them on the bark away from the stem and they melt slow.

josephbutler10d ago

Had a buddy try that and his orchids got mushy roots within three months.

chen.casey1d ago

I read somewhere that orchid roots have a pretty thick velamen layer that acts like insulation. So the slow melt might not even get cold enough to bother them. But I also saw a grower say that the real risk is inconsistent watering with ice cubes. Not all spots get the same amount of melt, so some roots stay dry while others get too wet. I've just been using room temp water for mine, feels safer.