Skewer method - why are my skewers moldy?

[Emerald27]

Hey everyone.

I have 4 Phals right now, 3 potted in CHC or bark mixes, 1 is still in spagh moss. I was having a hard time telling when each one was needing to be watered. I inserted a bamboo skewer into the medium of each one, at the recommendation of a user here.

I asked if I should be keeping the skewers in the medium all the time, or inserting them an hour or two before checking to see how moist the skewer is when it comes out. I was told I could keep them in the medium all the time.

My problem: I went to check them all today, and all but 1 of the skewers had little bits of mold growing on it (ew!) This worries me, and makes me wonder what I'm doing wrong or what this means. Definitely doesn't seem like having mold growing on a stick in my orchid pots is going to be doing my plants any favors.

Has this happened to anyone else? Would it better to NOT keep the skewers in all the time? Should I be using a new skewer each time? Not sure what I should do!

Thanks.

[Bulbofett]

I don't keep skewers in my medium all the time. I mean, you could if you aren't sure how often to water, but I feel the weight of my plants. I feel when they're watered, and then again when they need to be watered. The difference is obvious.

You probably don't have enough air circulation if mold is growing. Pretty easy in the winter time to have dry stagnant air. Try increasing the air around your plants. You don't have to remove the skewers if you don't want to. Just increase the air.

[RNCollins]

Hi Emerald,

My skewers sometimes get funky like that too when I leave them in after I water.

This is what I do:

About one hour before I want to water, I take the skewer out, carefully keeping an eye on the hole where it came out of. Then I put in the same exact hole a brand new fresh skewer, and leave it in there about an hour. That way I don't puncture or injure a new root each time I insert a fresh skewer. If it feels too moist I wait a day or two to water.

Carol

[MattWoelfsen]

If your skewers are moldy, your roots are too! Bulbofett advised good air circulation, I agree. Get a small oscillating fan, this will help move air around your Phals. I have fans on timers so they have some moments of still air. Interesting side benefit with fans running, the heated air is distributed more evenly throughout the room, so when I'm in that room, it feels more comfortable.

[WhiteRabbit]

Some of mine get some mold, or mold-like stuff. I've noticed a difference using different brands - some get it, some don't.

I've never had an issue with yhe media or roots getting mold ...

[LadySoren]

I was just about to ask this very same question.

[Emerald27]

It seems like it's only really happening to certain plants..I didn't see it on the plant that is in spagh. I recently repotted one of my phals into a fir bark/lava rock/charcoal mix and then inserted the skewer afterwards. This one doesn't seem to be getting mold on the skewer either.

My 2 other phals are in the CHC mixes and those are the ones that primarily seem to be getting the moldy looking bits. I have a floor standing oscillating fan, but I don't particularely want to have a fan running all day so I think I'll try to find some kind of timer to use with it.

[Emerald27]

Ok so I bought a mini desk fan as well as a timer to regulate when the fan goes on/off and how many times per day.

Any suggestions on how long the intervals of the fan going should be, and how often?