Phalaenopsis orchid or Moth Orchid Photo: Julie Weisenhorn, UMN Extension Orchids are now the most popular house plant with their long lasting flowers sold at many retail stores. Orchids are epiphytes or air plants and grow with minimal (if any) soil usually coarse bark. This makes watering orchids a challenge as water easily runs out of the bark and container making you wonder if you watered the plant enough. The idea of watering orchids with ice cubes placed on top of the container has often been promoted as an easy care method. New study on orchids & ice cubes While no commercial grower uses ice cubes and few serious orchid hobby growers use ice cubes, researchers at The Ohio State University and the University of Georgia tested watering weekly with 3 ice cubes compared to an equal amount of tap water and found no difference in plant health, growth, or flower longevity. Do not place ice on rchid roots. Photo: Julie Weisenhorn, UMN Extension They tested 48 plan