Do skewers skewer the roots?

[blackvine]

I keep hearing about the skewer method to check how dry the medium is, but . . . I'm afraid to jam those skewers into the mix. Won't they damage roots? I generally stick my finger in - gingerly - to about an inch, but I know that is not really telling me how wet the mix is in the middle vertically and horizontally. Darn. Am I being too careful with the roots?

---------- Post added at 09:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:56 PM ----------

PS: With clear pots, I think I've actually gotten quite good at watering - most of my orchids have awesome roots all the way down. BUT . . . I would still like something as definite as the skewer to tell me about moisture without damaging the poor roots!

PPS: Been growing a bit over a year.

[james mickelso]

Some folks use the skewer method with good results. Another way, and I think more accurate, is to lift the pot and feel how heavy it is after watering. Lift it daily and you'll quickly learn how wet or dry the media is and when to water. I opine you use both methods ands use which ever one suits you.

[Leafmite]

I have never used the skewers. I use basket/net pots so the drying is very even, even with moss. Before it was lava rock and clay pots...no worries there, either. Interesting question, though. Some orchids have rhizomes under the surface, too.

[vanda2020]

if you put skewer in same spot each time any damage is minimal.

[AnonYMouse]

Wiggle the skewer as you insert into the medium. If you feel resistance, back off and wiggle some more.

[MattWoelfsen]

Originally Posted by james mickelso

Some folks use the skewer method with good results. Another way, and I think more accurate, is to lift the pot and feel how heavy it is after watering. Lift it daily and you'll quickly learn how wet or dry the media is and when to water. I opine you use both methods ands use which ever one suits you.

My thoughts too! I have migrated all of my plants to clear plastic pots with a lot of holes and slits. Basically the pot is there to hold everything in place. Not only do I use the weigh it wet and dry method to determine water requirements, but I also look to see how the roots are doing. It's easy for Phals--if roots are green, no need to water.

This is anecdotal observation, but I've noticed that my Phals, seem to grow more roots aerially when they are watered appropriately. It seems they want to capture more humidity. The reverse seems to happen, when a plant is getting too much water or not enough water, aerial root growth is minimal.

[NYCorchidman]

root damage or disturbance is the main reason I do not use skewer method.

I will repeat what others have already said.
Go by the weight of the pot. I'd say that's the most accurate way to figure out how much water is left in the pot.

[Orchid Whisperer]

There is nothing wrong with the skewer method. As previously suggested, a skewer that goes in & out of the same place would cause little damage. I've found that a skewer left in place, and pulled an inch or two out of the pot, but not all the way, pretty much tells you what you need to know about moisture in the pot.

With time, I've found that I pretty much "know" when various plants need to be watered, so I do things like the skewer method less and less as time goes on. It is still a useful tool, though.

[NYCorchidman]

Roots do grow and thus "move around" inside the pot.

[blackvine]

Thanks, all! Well, I'm done with skewers. But, with 50 plants in different pots and mediums, I cannot remember wet/dry weight for each, either, so . . . I will stick with gentle finger probing!