Using skewers to determine when to water

[silken]

If its Cattleyas you are growing, I tend to let the skewer (= media in bottom and middle of pot) get pretty close to dry. If the sides are drying too fast and centre staying wet, maybe your plants are a bit over-potted. I use pots that fit the root ball for the most part with just a bit of extra space. I try and leave room at one edge for one or two new growths.
The square air cone pots or ones with a raised indent in the bottom help dry the centre out too.

[bil]

I like planting thick root epiphytes in pure coarse bark with no moss. There's no risk of overwatering there.

[silken]

Originally Posted by bil

I like planting thick root epiphytes in pure coarse bark with no moss. There's no risk of overwatering there.

Me too. I only use medium bark chunks for my Cattleyas and even for some Oncidums that have thicker roots.

[PaphLover]

Picked these up at the dollar store and thought they'd be perfect. They seem to be untreated and were the perfect size...

[estación seca]

You can also buy skewers intended for food use at Asian markets.

[silken]

Originally Posted by PaphLover

Picked these up at the dollar store and thought they'd be perfect. They seem to be untreated and were the perfect size...

They are likely fine but I just use the thin bamboo kebab skewers. I get them at the dollar store or Dollarama about 100 for $1.00.

[bil]

I'm mean, I use the old bamboo sticks that came with all my phals. I prefer them to droop naturally.

Now, talking of skewers, here's an idea. I have very shallow pots, some are only 2 inches deep, and it's pretty damn hard to use skewers there. So I came up with an idea.
You melt a hole in the side at the base of the pot, and slide a skewer in at the bottom so it goes underneath everything.

It's especially useful with pots that are hung up on the wall. Hopefully the pics will show what I mean.

[wintergirl]

Originally Posted by bil

You melt a hole in the side at the base of the pot, and slide a skewer in at the bottom so it goes underneath everything.

How hard is it to melt a hole in a clay pot? Does it take a long time with a lot of heat or much pressure?

[bil]

Originally Posted by wintergirl

How hard is it to melt a hole in a clay pot? Does it take a long time with a lot of heat or much pressure?

Clay won't melt. My orchid pots are all plastic, for a lot of reasons

That's drill time, and be very careful, masonry drill, but NOT hammer setting!

I would be very tempted to fill a pail with dry sand, and bury the pot in it so that it is full of sand too. Start with a small drill and work up. It's VERY easy to break a clay pot doing this.

[wintergirl]

Originally Posted by bil

Clay won't melt. My orchid pots are all plastic, for a lot of reasons

That's drill time, and be very careful, masonry drill, but NOT hammer setting!

I would be very tempted to fill a pail with dry sand, and bury the pot in it so that it is full of sand too. Start with a small drill and work up. It's VERY easy to break a clay pot doing this.

Oh, I thought your pots were clay. I was wondering how you melted a hole in a clay pot