When to Water

[dianecty]

Hi everyone! I have using the skewer method in determining when to water. The problem is even if I don't water, my skewers are always damp. The top part is dry but the bottom 1/3 is damp. I haven't watered my orchids for more than a week already!! Does the stick have to be completely dry?

Thanks.

[justatypn]

I started off this way until I felt confident enough to make the choice of when to water. If I remember correctly the stick will never be totally dry. I would take the part of the skewer and place the tip on my cheek and at that time would determine if plant needed watering.

I would not go more than 7 to 10 days without watering, but it really depends on your environment. I am an indoor grower and my humidity is lower than others here on the OB and with it being lower my orchids dry out faster so watering regimen was about every 5 days. I do not dunk them in the sink everytime, take me hours with over 140 but between my monthly dunking I use a hose-end sprayer. They are happy keeps the moisture at an even minimum. Just my 2 cents worth.

[Oscarman]

Cheryl - you have 140 now! Your obsession keeps growing.

dianecty, I am also growing indoors (under lights) and need to water most plants (in 4-6' pots) every 4-5 days. I have many seedlings also in smaller pots or compots with sphagnum moss and they dry out quickly, so I water more often (2-3 days).

A good way to judge is to feel the weight of the pot after a thorough soaking and then as it drys out, till you get the feel for weight vs. moisture.

What type of media are you growing in and under what type of conditions - that will have an influence also.

[Lagoon]

Personally I don't like any media that keeps moist after 7 days, good chance for root rot (IMHO)

Your media maybe broken down and time to change out, your orchids maybe over potted?
What kinda media are you growing in?

I allow my older catts to dry out for a day, that's about it.

[Ray]

I have to agree with Gloria on this one. If the medium is staying that wet, that long, anywhere in the pot, it suggests that it is likely decomposing and becoming too compact, so it's time to repot.

[dianecty]

Hi! I just use bark. I have repotted them right after I bought which is just a couple of weeks ago.

If I put bark at the bottom 1/3 and so the bark does not really touch the bottom, then if the skewer is damp on the lower 1/3 of the stick, then I can water right because that part of where the roots are, are dry. What do you think? I just thought of this last night in my sleep.

[dianecty]

I just thought of something. Maybe I am underwatering them because I carefully pour the water on all sides of the pot until I can see the top is wet and water runs out the bottom. Should I soak them in the sink so that I don't miss any spot?

Maybe the water doesn't go through all the bark and roots and just go straight down and out, so the orchids don't get their fair share of water.

What do you think? After I watered them last night,
the top bark is already very dry but the inside is still damp.

[Ashley]

Dianecty dont worry to much like you I am new and only been keeping orchids for 6 months. The worst time is the first time you think something is sick the temptation is to pamper it but I was given some advice very early on "take a deep breath and do nothing for 7 days" and its working for me.

When I buy something new unless its a rescue case I put it with the others and do nothing for the first week giving it chance to settle in and then I treat it like the others.

I dont tend to dunk I pour the water through as you do mainly becasue its a pain fishing around catching all the floating bits and I also worry if one has a problem i would risk transfering it to the others if I use the same water. One point my water is very cold here so i fill up several sprayers and a bowl of water the night before i plan to water so it warms to room temp.

I did invest in a barometer/hydrometer so i know my temp is generally 20C and humidity 60% it settles the mind to know these things.

Good luck
Kat