roots of orchids are are dry even though watering them everyday

[manisha]

Hi,

I have few phal and dendrobiums placed in coconut husk and charcoal medium.

Dendrobuim is in good condition but few phals roots seem to be dry and not rot. Daily i water them .What could be problem ? or is it sign of worry ?

[gravotrope]

Maybe you could water them twice in a row spaced out across a few minutes instead of just applying water once for a few seconds? I'm not sure exactly what you are saying, but it could either be that or a humidity issue.

[james mickelso]

The roots that are under the potting media are probably wet while those that are above the media appear dry but getting water on them is absorbed. Roots above the media and new roots are not as open as older roots and need to be water a second or even a third time. As the roots out in the air age the velamin opens up and absorbs water more readily.

[yousillygirl]

In Singapore, I find phals need a lot more moisture than dendrobium - charcoal and coconut husk would work for dendrobium but for phals that would dry too quickly. Maybe consider putting your phals into sphagnum moss instead (but then water less).

However, now I grow everything in s/h

[Bud]

I don't know what part of India is your grow zone(hopefully not the dry drought area), but I assume you have the warmth and humidity that Phalaenopsis love. Watering it everyday is tricky....In my grow zone I water Phals once a week in winter and twice a week in summers....I use bark, lava rock, charcoal, tree fern shards, sponge rock, coco chips and hydroton....I get it online from an orchid supply store.
*maybe flush the roots under a skink for 5 minutes to get rid of fertilizer crystals that can coat the roots....
spray it with physan 20 to rule out fungi or bacterial infestation....

[euplusia]

How is the plant aspect? Do the Phals lack water, are the leaves limp without turgidity?

[WeirdGuySeattle]

Could be a good sign. If they dry out fast and get watered daily, I look at that as a very positive sign. This means their roots get enough air, and they are obviously getting plenty of water.

The only thing you might wonder about is humidity. If the air is really really dry and water is being sucked out of them by dry air, they might be suffering a little there.

But remember to pick up the pots from time to time - this is how I gauge if the plant is getting enough / too much water. Weight is a good way to feel out watering.