Maxillaria tenuifolia: watering sheaths and rot concerns.

[SmellyCat40]

Hi all,

I recently joined this board and this is a first time post. I own several orchids one of which is a Maxillaria Tenuifolia. I've read in a few places that some folks will water the sheath of their Max Ten pseudobulbs because of the roots that run up alongside them. Won't this cause rotting?

Also, a curiosity question. Does the orchid take in water from the roots beneath the substrate and then pass it up through the side roots to the new growth or do those new growths have root tips hiding in the sheath that can absorb water?

My main concern is potential rot, so the second question is a bonus if anyone wants to answer it too.

Thanks in advance,

Julie