water ?

[tedro]

Hi,
How hardy are small phals against dryness? Or, how long can they go after moisture is gone?
Or, if you miss watering...?

(Looking at roots through a clear pot is not useful here because, though the pot clear, the roots are not visible but for a very tiny piece, not enough; thus I seek other responses.)

Thank you.
here it is: Orchid 1 - Google Photos

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by tedro

Hi,
How hardy are small phals against dryness? Or, how long can they go after moisture is gone?
Or, if you miss watering...?

I haven't tested it yet. I grow a single phal at the moment in 5 mm average diameter scoria. The mini phal is flowering size, and has flowered. It's in a 100 mm diameter pot with good drainage.

I usually water the media each morning with a water-spray-wand.

I know that my phal can handle without issues at least 1 day skipped (no watering for a full day/night). The attached image shows my mini phal - photographed maybe 15 minutes ago. The newest leaf (the shiny looking one) wasn't there when I first purchased this orchid. It's growing really well in scoria, where this orchid was repotted into on the day that I purchased it.

The whitish stuff on the other leaves of the mini-phal is just dust on the leaves haha. I have to just get around to wiping some accumulated dust off the leaves of some orchids one of these days.

[DirtyCoconuts]

I have a few minis in lava rock and or LECA and they often will be left two or three days between waterings

It is high humidity here

[tedro]

Originally Posted by SouthPark

I haven't tested it yet. I grow a single phal at the moment in 5 mm average diameter scoria. The mini phal is flowering size, and has flowered. It's in a 100 mm diameter pot with good drainage.

I usually water the media each morning with a water-spray-wand.

I know that my phal can handle without issues at least 1 day skipped (no watering for a full day/night). The attached image shows my mini phal - photographed maybe 15 minutes ago. The newest leaf (the shiny looking one) wasn't there when I first purchased this orchid. It's growing really well in scoria, where this orchid was repotted into on the day that I purchased it.

The whitish stuff on the other leaves of the mini-phal is just dust on the leaves haha. I have to just get around to wiping some accumulated dust off the leaves of some orchids one of these days.

Hi SouthPark,
Yes, my repot with different (dry bark type) media is so far at least every 3 days, at most.
I'm feeling my way; I am interested in the parameters of least maintenance -- that's I only have one! I know I could rig up some fancy equipment, but I'm not all that interested in that. :/
all ears though....

Thanks! Looks great! I've nothing but 4 low "baby" leaves come and go, no main leaf development.

---------- Post added at 06:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:10 PM ----------

Well, I watered again. Don't want to test it right now. :/
3 days tops, I *think. Mine have perhaps been closer.
I flush twice to water, drainage is complete.

possibly too much. (pampering period.)

[SouthPark]

Tedro - most welcome. Phals are generally still quite succulent looking, so they can be expected to hold enough water to keep them going a bit when the media is dry.

Signs of wrinkles and slight leaf shrinking will be indicators for making approximate guesses about the time it takes for observable negative affects to start to occur. As soon as the effects are seen - resuming regular watering will make the orchid recover for sure.

[Fran20]

Since it's only the one plant, might I suggest weighing your plant before and after it's watered and then checking periodically to see when it reaches the pre- watered weight? Then you can water it once again.

[tedro]

Originally Posted by Fran20

Since it's only the one plant, might I suggest weighing your plant before and after it's watered and then checking periodically to see when it reaches the pre- watered weight? Then you can water it once again.

Definitely “doing” that.

[Ray]

I'll post a slightly different view:

While it is "OK" to allow your plants to go dry, if possible, it is better for them to stay moist but airy.

Read this.

[tedro]

Originally Posted by Ray

I'll post a slightly different view:

While it is "OK" to allow your plants to go dry, if possible, it is better for them to stay moist but airy.

Read this.

Thanks Ray.
This RepotMe Phalaenopsis Monterey Dark Imperial Orchid Mix drys fast! The orchid came potted in sphagnum in a small plastic cup, 1 oz once a week was good.
This is, as someone in the repotting forum warned me, would be much more often — < 3 times per week.
I even added a strand or two of sphagnum!
With the new pot, it’s definitely airy, I hope.

Do orchids produce new top leaves while blooming?
If I get a new top leaf, ever, I’ll know it’s ok.
The blooms are beautiful, so it’s ok for now.

I think I associate all these flowers with “water,” needing water.

[tedro]

Ok! I had slight, not enough, visual on roots after repot, but some root growth is occurring and becoming more visible. Check my attached pics and maybe comment what exactly to watch for.


photo albums:
Orchid 1 - Google Photos

orchid roots/repotting - Google Photos