Using skewers to determine when to water

[monivik]

I like these suggestions... the skewer and also the weighing of the pot. I'm going to start doing this...

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by monivik

I like these suggestions... the skewer and also the weighing of the pot. I'm going to start doing this...

Weighing the pot is a nice idea. Possibly time-consuming if there's too many orchids though. But for a limited number of orchids, it should work well. Could write the 'dry' weight value on the tag, so you have the reference value on the tag for convenience.

[Dollythehun]

I just judge the weight by the feel (heft) of it in my hand. Who would have time to physically weigh each pot?

[mkallen81]

Hmm, I have never heard of this method. How many of you are using it and how is it working out for you?*

thanks for the advice, Melannie

[Csc9]

I used to use the skewer method, especially with plants potted in moss, but after I replant into a bark mix I usually just go by weight and feel. It also depends on how long I've had that plant, and where I've placed it in the house but I think there skewer method is great for beginners who are intimidated by a watering schedule

[SouthPark]

The weight by hand (picking up the pot) idea definitely is workable. It just depends on the number of orchids are in the collection. If there's quite a lot of orchids, it's going to take a while ------ which is quite ok, as long as there's time for it.

I use scoria for catts, phals, dendrobiums, paphs, phrags, angraecum, and recently for catasetum.

Due to the airy features of the scoria (and appropriately chosen size of the scoria and features of my pots), I don't get issues with over-watering. So I just know roughly when I can water ..... which can be almost anytime I want - such as every morning.

Occasionally, I do allow for a full dry-out of the media ----- but that's only for possibly cutting down issues with unwanted things growing or building up inside the pot, or on the roots.

With bark - it's necessary to know that pre-wetted bark (that is not dry) will easily stay moist - or easily absorb water when we water moist bark. While dry bark repels water, which can take quite a soaking to get to a moisture-retaining state again. So growers have to make sure that the bark doesn't dry up so much that they have to do a big soak again. Although - some growers do dunk the whole pot into water for a while - to soak. I've never used this dunking/soaking method before.

Anyway ---- being able to pick up the pot and know the rough light weight for dehydrated media can be a useful thing. That is - to know the feel (by weight in hand) for a dry pot - is good.

[Dollythehun]

"Anyway ---- being able to pick up the pot and know the rough light weight for dehydrated media can be a useful thing. That is - to know the feel (by weight in hand) for a dry pot - is good."

After awhile, you get to know your plants. You know which row needs the most water, who's a water hog etc. Then you don't have to heft each pot.

[rbarata]

After awhile, you get to know your plants. You know which row needs the most water, who's a water hog etc. Then you don't have to heft each pot.

Right, some of my plants I know they need watering just by looking at them.

[OrchidMom424]

Thanks for the tip!

[dianecty]

I put the skewers all the way to the bottom of the pot and when I pull it out, more often than not, the upper half of the skewer that was in the media is dry but bottom half is moist, or cool. Which part do I follow? Do I water if the top half of the skewer is dry and the bottom is still moist or cool?