how to water paph in CHC?

Hello,
I potted couple of brachy type paphs into mix of coconut husk chips with pieces of styrofoam. Now I am not sure when it should be watered as the top of the mix looked dry one day after watering, but I am aware that chc might be holding up the water as a sponge.
If anybody has experience with growing paphs in chc, please, tell me : how do you know when to water them?
Thanks a lot.

[WhiteRabbit]

you are correct that chc will be dry on top, while still retaining moisture further down the pot (chc actually retains more moisture, and for longer, than bark) - I don't have any paphs in chc, but do have lots of other orchids potted in it, and I have bamboo skewers - like for kabobs - in all the pots/media - I just leave the skewer in all the time, pull it out to check moisture by touching it to my cheek or upper lip - then replace skewer into the same spot I pulled it out from

Thank you, WhiteRabbit. That is a nice trick with skewer.
So, I wait until skewer feels dry to touch.

I also have one phal in chc, but it is in transparent pot, so I can judge by the root color.
My paphs are in ceramic pots, I can't see the roots, but even if I could - they seem to always stay brownish - wet or dry.
Thanks again for the tip.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by orchideya

Thank you, WhiteRabbit. That is a nice trick with skewer.
So, I wait until skewer feels dry to touch.

I also have one phal in chc, but it is in transparent pot, so I can judge by the root color.
My paphs are in ceramic pots, I can't see the roots, but even if I could - they seem to always stay brownish - wet or dry.
Thanks again for the tip.

I don't allow Paphs to dry completely in between waterings, but do wait for the skewer to be just slightly moist
I can't take credit for the skewer idea - I read it here when I was new-ish to the board, but I do think it's a great idea, and has helped me so much!

Thank you for clarification!
I checked today, the skewers are still really wet.
What are your paphs potted into?
Do you think CHC is not a good choice for paphs?
Thanks again.

[quiltergal]

I have all my Paphs and Phrags in fine CHC and they are all doing great. I only have to water once a week, maybe a little more often in the blasting heat of the summer. I also repot them annually as they seem to prefer fresh medium.

[WhiteRabbit]

I have my paphs in fine and med bark mixed with some perlite and charcoal - the one paph I tried in chc - guess I overwatered it I think that was prior to my learning about using skewers ...

I overwater everything, so I moved them from bark to chc hoping that it provides more air circulation.

Terri, do you mix chc with something else?

WhiteRabbit, how deep should skewer reach? I pushed it right to the bottom of the pot and notice that it is wet at the bottom, moist in the middle and dry on the top.
What part should I check?
Thanks a lot.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by orchideya

I overwater everything, so I moved them from bark to chc hoping that it provides more air circulation.

Terri, do you mix chc with something else?

WhiteRabbit, how deep should skewer reach? I pushed it right to the bottom of the pot and notice that it is wet at the bottom, moist in the middle and dry on the top.
What part should I check?
Thanks a lot.

hmm - I usually have them all the way down, too - are they potted in plastic or clay pots ?
the middle portion would be most important, but don't want the bottom staying soggy - does the pot drain well?

[Amanda L]

I agree with everyone on this. I have both of my paphs potted in CHC. I don't have anything mixed with it, just straight CHC. My paphs grow very well in it, even though they are in desperate need of repotting. I am not a frequent waterer, although when I first started I watered too much. Since you are growing in a ceramic pot, I would definitely suggest the skewer method, so you can judge when to water. I also have to ask the same question as Wabbit, does your pot have adequate drainage?
The paph roots will stay brown, they don't change color like phal, catt, den, onc and other green/whitish roots do. They are also hairy, hehehe. I was weirded out the first time I saw a paph root.