how to feed an orhcid without keeping it in water??

Hi folks

does anyone have advice about how to feed an orchid without KEEPING it wet.  I like to water mine by letting the (saved rain) water drain right though and out at the bottom.  When the drips stop I then put it back in its saucer..... however... as I have a liquid feed,  when i use this to feed them, the nutrition will run off straight away?!?!  Know what I mean?

Any tips to keep the nutrition around the roots without having to keep them standing in liquid? thanks in advance

Don't understand your problem.  Stand the pot up to the top of the roots in water with plant food added for about half an hour.  Drain, replace in saucer.

I was given a very handy tip about the mix of the orchid potting compost - use the mix sold in garden centres, etc and mix with some sphagnum moss and perlite.

The moss holds on to some moisture and feed around the roots between watering.

But they also recommended having 1/2 inch of water/feed in the saucer at all times to give some humidity as well as allowing the roots to take up water when they needed it.

Seems to be working for me as my orchids are thriving for once!

Great tip. I have 2 very sorry for themselves orchids. Will try that thanks Rhonsal

I agree with Lottie, it really depends on the type of orchid you are growing.  Phalaenopsis seem to be the easiest in the home, I haven't fed mine or repotted or anything other than watered it in over 18 months and it hasn't stopped flowering!  Cymbidiums are a bit trickier and like a little cooler environment.  As far as feed goes its just a case of diluting orchid feed and watering as you have been doing they will take what they need.

I like the idea of rhonsal's to add moss, in their natural habitat they maybe found living on trees, rocks, etc as they are epiphytic.  You can almost visualise a tropical jungle with moss dangling from the trees and the roots of the orchids clinging to the moss cover bark. Its all about recreating that enviroment.  Good luck I've rambled on enough. www.alisonpike.com/blog/