Newb question about a Phal. re-pot (Pics)

[Dracan6]

First off, I want to say This is my first post, but I have used this site for most of my education on orchids. As I am a budding biologist currently going through college, I do quite a bit of gardening, but I love "special needs" type plants, that are a bit more fickle.

Anyhow this is my first orchid, a pink phalaenopsis. I bought it early this spring, and came potted like most in a small ceramic pot with sphagnum moss medium. I thought it was kind of odd for an epiphyte to be in something that retains so much water and normally used for plants that need a nutrient deficient medium... After research I new that I was going to have to do a re-pot, but I wanted to wait until it finished blooming. After much reading I had decided that I would try and find some of the clear perforated pots that many people use. However, I couldnt find any of them in my area, but I did find some pretty nice ceramic pots for orchids on sale. So I bought them and did my re-pot.

Now, I am starting to question my choice. It seems sound to me but after looking everywhere, I cannot find any info on how to care for a Phal in a pot like this, and could use advice. It has been repotted for about 2 weeks and seems to be doing well, in fact its spiking. Though the bottom leaves seem to be dying up.

Now for the specifics.


This is the ceramic "orchid" pot on the left that I used for the re-pot. (I bought 4 of them on sale for 3$ a piece.) It's 4"X4" has holes on all sides, as well as a single hole in the bottom, with a 1/2" deep basin that holds water. The old 2" pot is on the right.




This is the potting mix that I used, and the fertilizer stakes that I intend to use for the new pot.


This is how it is looking at the moment. I have finaly moved it back into a few hours of full sunlight that it seems to like. I also mist it once a day.


My questions include any info on these type of pots, and how should I be watering in this situation? It always seems so dry that, I feel I need to water everyday, but I have tried hard not to. Would the ice cube method be good? Any info would be most appreciated. Once I feel certain that this guy is happy, I want to go purchase others for the other pots.