Are you sure?

[Rich S.]

I have a cattleya for a victim right now. It's potted in a bark mix and as advised I water it from above. The water runs through so fast, I can't imagine how it gets a drink. I'm tempted to let it sit in a saucer so it has time to soak, but have been told that it may cause rot. What is the right way for me to approach this?

[euplusia]

When in active growth- May to October on the Northern Hemisphere - , you can drench and soak the roots. Its rainy season. Let it get dry in between. A cattleya is a camel. But do only spray in wintertime.

[Dorothy]

Rot occurs when the medium breaks down and holds moisture for an undo amount of time. How can you tell to that breaking point is when the bark breaks apart easily. When you water your catt and you find that a lot of sediment is washed away when it drains off.
Catts can be left to dry out because of the pseudobulbs that hold moisture - note the distinguishing hump in the stem.
How old is the medium you have it in. Your catt may need a repotting ...
And when I water it, I submerge the container in larger container of filtered water and avoid getting water on the plant. Letting an orchid sit on a saucer of water thinking that it will take in water from the bottom is inaccurate. Best to have your orchids sit above the water but never in it ( this done to increase humidity for the plant not to water it) (ei. - humidity trays )