First Orchids, Newbie Questions.

[axelrod12]

Yah I read through that and have it bookmarked, I just don't really see how the skewer method can work well with a bunch of bark chips. I think I can judge better with my eyes since they are in clear plastic.

[RandomGemini]

It works really well. The outside of the media may look dry, but the inside might still be damp. Often times, when I pick up a pot, it looks dry to me, but when I check the skewer, there's still moisture in the center of the media and you want to let the pot dry all the way through before watering again.

[No-Pro-mwa]

I am not having luck with the skewer method really. I don't have them in my phal's but I have them in my Catt's and I was trying to let them dry all the way as Catt's need to dry more than phal's do and I think I was letting them dry too much.

Every time I check the skewer it has dampness in it but my psbulbs were showing just a bit of wrinkling in them. I have tried to step it up a little.

So I guess I'm still on the fence.

[RandomGemini]

I don't have any cattleyas, so I can't speak as to how well this method works for other orchids. I don't use it on my non-phals. Those, I judge by the weight of the pot and some, I just water daily on principle, they all have different watering requirements. The skewer method works great for my phals tho. I haven't seen any rot in my plants since I started using it.

[Emerald27]

When using the skewer method for checking to see when a Phal needs watering, do you keep the skewer in the medium all the time, or only stick it in when you suspect it might be time to water?

Also, I worry that I might stab through a root or something. Is this a concern?

[hagfish]

One thing phalenopsis dislike is temperatures below 60F. These are warm growing, low light plants which also dislike dry roots, hence the sphagnum. The mottled leaves may have come from the few species with marked leaves like schilleriana or hierogliphica. My success with phalenophis has been marginal because of my cold climate and very hard water. I try to keep them as warm as possible and provide even moisture with water very low in minerals. When growing well, I have read these plants consume lots of fertilizer. One tropical grower was using chicken manure and reported the plants grew like weeds.

[RandomGemini]

Originally Posted by Emerald27

When using the skewer method for checking to see when a Phal needs watering, do you keep the skewer in the medium all the time, or only stick it in when you suspect it might be time to water?

Also, I worry that I might stab through a root or something. Is this a concern?

Try to put the skewer back in, exactly where it came out. You'll get a feel for putting the skewer in without bothering the roots of the plant.

After a while, you can stop using this method and just judge the weight of the pot. Plants that need to be watered, weigh a lot less than plants that don't.