Over or underwatered?

[JBlacksmith]

I have been struggling to find a good watering schedule for my orchids. I thought I wasn't watering them enough, but when I forgot to water for a couple weeks my smaller orchid put out a new root. I have attached two pictures of their leaves. Do these look like they have been overwatered, or underwatered? And what can I do to better care for them in the future?
Any and all input is welcome!

[kmccormic]

My vote would be underwatering and to check the roots. Is that snow mold on the hydroton it's in? If it is, I would replace that hydroton immediately and ask people here for advice on a root drench you can use to help kill it when you repot into new media.

[JBlacksmith]

Originally Posted by kmccormic

My vote would be underwatering and to check the roots. Is that snow mold on the hydroton it's in? If it is, I would replace that hydroton immediately and ask people here for advice on a root drench you can use to help kill it when you repot into new media.

Some roots on the bigger orchid are shriveled, squishy, and brown (aside from the healthy roots). On the smaller orchid, the roots are shriveled, brown, and squishy. Plus one new healthy root.

As for the hydroton, I don't think it is mold. It crumbles, and is powdery (resembles the battery acid you find in old calculators). I think it is residue from the orchid food miracle grow water solution I use. Though, I could be wrong!

[WhiteRabbit]

Both under and over watering can cause dehydrated foliage (over watering rots the roots, so the plant is unable to take up water and becomes dehydrated). If roots are rotted, it's been over watered.

[Ray]

I agree with Sonya, except for the last sentence.

It's isn't water that kills roots, it's suffocation, poisoning, a pathogen, extreme temperatures, etc..

The buildup of salts on the LECA medium is to be expected, but - holy crap! - not that much! You're either overfeeding, under-flushing, and/or using very hard water, and any of those can lead to root poisoning.