Fresh bark will dry faster than the older media, for a few weeks at least.
I have skewers in all my orchid pots to help determine when to water - my plants have been doing much better since I started to do this.

Hello Shawna,I water mine once a week really good so whole bark is very wet,misting is not good for Cattleya.Did you get division from your friend with a new lead and new roots?If yes then your orchid should be ok ,but if not then is going to be in big stress.

I have that one too
I growed it under artificial light in plastic pot with bark. Now it's outside on a balcony for summer . I water it when I see it needs it! More now ( Paris air is very dry) than last winter. I think there is no rule for watering, only to let dry between waterings...for the frequency it depends on your growing conditions, medium etc... Mine is à big adult plant and it loves beeing in bark...