Bud Blast! Hate spag!

[butterfly_muse]

Originally Posted by blueeyesjay

Thanks for the advice everyone. I've killed a ton of orchids from overwatering (which is why I've underwatered this one pretty significantly).

I was wondering if anyone knows how long it takes for the leaves to become firm again? They're not wilted/rigid yet, just leathery and floppy.

I put it in new medium (bark mostly) on Wednesday after a good soaking. Came home yesterday and it was dry again (no condensation, roots appear white not green), so I gave it another soaking for about 5-10 minutes (roots appear plump and green). Hopefully when I get home, its dry-ish. . . Again, I'd rather have it slightly underwatered then cause root rot (seriously killed at least 10-15 phals in the past year from it). If its dry when I get home, I'll soak it tomorrow morning.

So, any idea how long it takes for the leaves to get firm again?

I don't know that much about orchids but I will tell you that I soak mine for about 30 minutes. One of them has a weak root system so I dunk the whole thing for 30 minutes or so first thing in the morning so as the crown can dry. I'm also paranoid so I get in there with a q-tip also to dry it out. Every morning I mist them too before I leave. My one guy that gets very dehydrated from crap roots usually perks up within a day or two...but idk what your conditions are.

[Jinx]

I dont think watering it every 10 days to 2 weeks is bad where you live in the winter especially. Vancouver is very damp and rainy in the spring. Im in Kelowna BC and im watering every 10 days to 2 weeks. I checked my orchids this morning and they are still damp in the centers and i havent watered for over 2 weeks (2 weeks and one day).My house is on the cool side 63-68f. Come summer and hot temps that would obviously change. Ive put bamboo sticks from the dollar store in all of them, it works wonders =) I think maybe you just waited a bit to long to water it if it was already dry when you got it=)