How to interpret this - Paph question?

[quiltergal]

10 days is entirely too long between waterings for any Paph.

As has already been pointed out they like to stay evenly moist, but not sopping wet. I would follow Camille's advice on using the skewer until you get a better handle on when it's time to water. I can tell just by picking the pot up......but I've been doing this for a few years.

[The Mutant]

Yup, I've done that, a skewer has been inserted into the middle of the pot. I can tell with the Phals when to water (I have a thirsty schilleriana now for example), but not with this guy yet. The medium is open and fresh so it's definitely not wet. The new fan has started picking up some speed in its growth and the spike has grown a bit more since yesterday (I KNOW I shouldn't fixate on the spike - but it's so glaringly obvious when hovering over the rest of the Paph like it does), also, the bud has started to look a bit fatter than before.

I'm hoping for some more roots from this guy now, I think it would do well with a couple more of those.

[Ray]

Consider that post to be a different opinion than "err on the side of dryness."

I think that the key to most orchid culture is the proper management of the air flow to the root zone, while simultaneously keeping an adequate supply of moisture.

If someone needs to let the medium dry between waterings, that tells me they have not chosen a medium that is right for their growing conditions. and the air flow is insufficient.

Consider the fact that there are three things that can happen to the water when you irrigate:

1) Most pours right through the pot.
2) Some is absorbed by the plant and the medium immediately.
3) Some is held by surface tension in between the particles of medium. That is known as "bridging" water.

It is that last one that's the problem: if enough of the spaces are filled, they cut off the air flow, stifling the natural gas exchange processes of the plant, eventually suffocating the roots, killing them, and they rot.

That happens in media that are too fine, whether due to poor choices of materials and their sizes, or as it decomposes, breaks down, and compresses, and it happens if we compress sphagnum too much.

I am convinced that the lore that "orchids have to dry out between waterings" has absolutely nothing to do with the plants - many of them originate in areas that stay saturated. Instead, it is a poor choice of medium that requires the drying: given time, that bridging water is absorbed or evaporates, opening up the airflow pathways, allowing the plants to "breathe" again.

[Leafmite]

After reading your post, I was a little scared and checked my roots (I received my first paph in early November). I was told to keep them wet. I have both in net pots/lava rock/aircones-in-the middle. I water every day. To my relief, the roots look fine. Do you grow these hydroponically, Ray? They seem like perfect candidates.

[The Mutant]

Originally Posted by Ray

Consider that post to be a different opinion than "err on the side of dryness."

I think that the key to most orchid culture is the proper management of the air flow to the root zone, while simultaneously keeping an adequate supply of moisture.

If someone needs to let the medium dry between waterings, that tells me they have not chosen a medium that is right for their growing conditions. and the air flow is insufficient.

Consider the fact that there are three things that can happen to the water when you irrigate:

1) Most pours right through the pot.
2) Some is absorbed by the plant and the medium immediately.
3) Some is held by surface tension in between the particles of medium. That is known as "bridging" water.

It is that last one that's the problem: if enough of the spaces are filled, they cut off the air flow, stifling the natural gas exchange processes of the plant, eventually suffocating the roots, killing them, and they rot.

That happens in media that are too fine, whether due to poor choices of materials and their sizes, or as it decomposes, breaks down, and compresses, and it happens if we compress sphagnum too much.

I am convinced that the lore that "orchids have to dry out between waterings" has absolutely nothing to do with the plants - many of them originate in areas that stay saturated. Instead, it is a poor choice of medium that requires the drying: given time, that bridging water is absorbed or evaporates, opening up the airflow pathways, allowing the plants to "breathe" again.

Thanks for the clarification Ray! You are so very knowledgeable when it comes to orchids and their care.

It might be that I've chosen a too a fine-graded bark for the airflow I'm able to provide for the orchids in my flat, I'll wait and watch before I decide to re-pot it again (they seem to like it after all these Paphs). Thanks for your valuable input.