phalaenopsis in hollow log

[Optimist]

I am always confused by how much water to give phals. The issue does not seem to come up with other orchids. Until almost dry still means wet. Think if you wrung out a sponge till very little water remained. So, you need a medium which will be wet and then after a week or ten days be almost dry. This is different for everyone. New chunky bark is not going to work unless you add something like sphagam moss. I am thinking about getting some coconut husk to see if that retains water better. You have to experiment some.

[nlm2951]

I love the wood. Orchids don't like to be loose, if you could drill two holes and I use plastic tieds to secure the plant, also do not pour water from the top,use it around the roots. The idea of having the tray with pebbles is very good, but I will put a little bit of sphan,I'm not to friendly with it, but my conditions are differents, also use pure hydrogen peroxide good for fungus.Also let it rest for two days and prepare one gallon of water one tp of eptson salt and spray the roots, save the rest for next week.I use a small spray bottle and keep it handy.