Using pencil/ skewer to test moisture in soil

[(..._...)]

Hello again

I have been growing orchids for 6ish years now, but the only ones I seem to be able to grow properly are phals and phaphs. So now I am trying to get other plants to grow properly . Maybe some of you can help me with this. I am trying the skewer method, by leaving it in the bark for 10 seconds, and then pressing it against the cheek to feel if there is moisture.

For my Onc. Sharry baby, I am guessing I need to water the day that I do not feel moisture on the stick, but what about my miltoniopsis, which should be kept slightly moister? should I check how many days it takes to become dry, and say, if it take 4 days until there is no moisture, then the next time, I water on the 3rd day after the last watering?

Also, my house is very dry, and if only the bottom half of the pot is moist, isn't that bad for the top half of the roots? I mist the top of the mix twice a day; does this fix that problem?

Also, I find when I repot, the mix dries out in about a day or so... is it okay to water everyday until the mix begins to hold water a bit more?

Sorry for all the questions

Thanks!!!

[Tommyr]

I kill phals but can grow Oncs. really well. I grow them in long fibered sphag moss and wait until the moss is ALMOST totally dry between waterings.

[Blondie]

I've never tried the pencil test, but I would also like to know more about for bark methods. I'll bump this up and see if anyone knows more.