Difficult time ... Dry or not dry, that's the question! - Orchid Board

ColombianOrchid · #1 03-23-2007, 01:07 PM

Hello!!

I have 8 orchids, 7 phals and 1 dend. 6 of my plants are potted in bark (I didn't soak it for 24hrs before repotting

) and the other two are planted in a bark/dirt(I don't know what it is) mix, all of them are in clay pots.

I've got pretty good at knowing when two water the two plants that are on bark mix, but I have the hardest time trying to guess when to water my other 6 plants that are in plain bark (I used Schultz professional mix). This bark tends to dry pretty fast on the surface, sometimes I stick my finger in the pot and it doesn't feel pretty moist ... usually after just 2 days.

Please, could somebody give me advice or recommend something?? I would also like to know what are the first signs of underwatering??

I have been thinking about putting the pots in the bath tub to let them soak water for a little while so that the bark absorbs the water ...

Would this help ???

smartie2000 · #2 03-23-2007, 03:53 PM

the 'dirt' would be peat...

I would water them normally, but more often than the ones in peat. The roots have gotten the moisture they needed before the next watering, even if the bark appears dry. Also bark does hold moisture that will evaporate into the air inside the pot and the roots can pick up that humidity

I recommend that you have all your plants potted in the same media as that will simplify your watering schedule

ladyslipper · #3 03-23-2007, 04:38 PM

Hi ColumbiaOrchid, personally, putting your plants in the same container to water them makes me really nervous. I think you increase the possibility of things like root rot or any other infections by doing this. Smartie2000 has a good idea. Another way of determining when to water is to use the weight of the pot (a dry pot is lighter than wet) or to water much the same time each week (this is more of a benchmark the plants may or may not need water). The other thing is you said you used Schultz. I have bought all my plants through Paramount Orchids in Calgary and asked them about fertilizers, they said they would not recommned Schultz (didn't say why) be could recommend Miracle Gro or Dyna Grow. Hope this helps. m

justatypn · #4 03-23-2007, 07:09 PM

When I first started growing orchids only a few years back, I bought a pack of shish kabob skewers, broke them in half and placed them in the potting medium at an angle from rim to bottom center of pot. I would pull them up and with this determined my watering regimen. With that in place I worked with the weight of the pot and eventually got rid of the sticks.

I started with Schultz with very little results so switched to Jacks and Miracle Gro. I am not sure if others do this but I know I hate the same dinner every night so I switch back and forth every other fert cycle...not that they notice the change but it works for me.

Phantasm · #5 03-23-2007, 07:46 PM

With clay pots, the media will dry out pretty quickly. Soaking the bark helps quite a bit and the plants adapt better....My guess is that your plants will be pretty dry..
One way to help this problem with clay pots is to use saucers under the pots, and the water will wick into the clay and the mix. When you water the bark, drench them with a lot of water...

It always easier to have the same type of mix for your plants depending on the genus involved. The bark size will depend on the size (thickness) of the roots. Bigger bark chunks for big roots, fine bark for fine roots.

roger nutt · #6 03-24-2007, 08:15 AM

Hi,
I also use weight of the pot , it works for me.
Good luck.
RN.

Charles · #7 03-25-2007, 10:24 AM

Hi, I'm new here.
But I have two cents. So here goes.
If yoou are really worried about the moisture levels, invest in a similar clay pot as the ones you have. Put the same size/kind of mix in it as the others. Water it the same as the others as though it had an orchid in it.
Later or when you are curious as to the moisture level, dump it out and get a real good look and feel for it deep down. We can not do this with an orchid, but an pot full of mix without an orchid can be a blessing.
Keep this pot with your orchids in the same humidity and light conditions. The empty pot should be similar in dry time to your others.
I hope I have not made an idiot of myself.

Ross · #8 03-25-2007, 12:29 PM

Having grown Phals for many years, I have found it easier to overwater them, than to underwater. Phals really don't like wet roots (at least constantly wet roots). They prefer to dry out a bit before next water. For me in slotted pots with lots of air at the roots it means once a weak watering. Mine are indoors. When I used to move them outdoors in summer I watered daily. I have been soaking my orchids in a 5-gallon pail of fertilizer mix for years with no ill effects. I think if any of your plants are diseased, or if they seem to pick up diseases easily, then watering in a communal bucket is a bad idea. I have rarely had an experience with diseases or insect pests, so feel confident of the communal bucket method.

failingflopsis · #9 03-27-2007, 02:46 AM

Columbian Orchid, what works for me is potting my orchids in clear plastic pots. The roots seem to like the added sunlight they get through the pots and it makes it easier for me to see if the bark is damp. I don't know if this is an option for you but may be something to consider in the future when you repot. Hope this helps.

Floppy