Jousting roots - a matter of skewering carefully?

[Phyrex]

In order to check the moisture of all my plants I use the widely recommended method of sticking in a skewer and checking how wet it is when it's pulled out. It works perfectly, however, I do wonder about the following. How often do I joust one of the roots that I don't see when I'm trying to manouver around a piece of bark or a S/H pebble?? I really worry about doing that and giving the plant an infection of some sort? Is this really an issue or do I not joust any roots (usually)??

[Lene Th.]

Atually, this is something that i was woundering about as well. But i have moved all of my plants in see-throug pots, and doesnt need to use this method any more.
Id like to hear what others think.

*Bump*

[Julia]

I am too afraid to use a skewer for the same reason, so I hover over mine watching for beads of humidity and trying to decide whether the roots looks drier than yesterday. I have also sat a humidity dial on top of the bark, to see if it's still emitting water vapour (ie whether it's more humid on top of the pot than in the room). But this still does not solve the problem that the middle of the pot might be damp and I can't see that. Also waiting for more comments.

[bkim]

The same question goes for stakes. How do you put in stakes without damaging roots? I'd avoid skewers all together and use clear pots.

[(..._...)]

ooooh I recently skewered a phal root.... lol... I was staking the flowe spike, and I though I was at the bottom when I pushed a bit harder.. and 'crunch'-- went right through a perfectly good root .

[Dorothy]

You don't have to push a skewer all the way down to the bottom of the pot .. you want to determine the medium moisture about midway .. You might want to cut down the skewer's length if it's a bit long ..
Clear pots might be a safer way to go ..

[caseydoll]

I have also been wondering the same thing! Great tip Dorothy! What about the stake for the flower spike as Cam and bkim mentioned? I haven't yet staked a couple of phal spikes just because I'm too scared of hurting a root. Anyone have any tips for that too?

[bonsai1504]

hard grow your orchids. the spikes wont need staking

[MuscleGirl'sHobby]

I am currently using clay orchid pots. If the pot feels cool and clammy, it means there is still moisture. I like the clay pots for my dens because they like to be underpotted, but this can make them top heavy in those plastic pots and I don't have a place to hang them..... yet If you use clay, make sure it's unglazed.

[addictedcountryman]

i stick my finger in lol because i can feel where i am going and usually about an inch down i'll feel the dampness.