Poor roots, watering too often?

[RNCollins]

Help! My Paph Hung Sheng Curtisii only has 2 roots. It was potted in CHC and perlite mix. I water it about once a week, but the media still feels a little damp after a week. Would it be better if I switch it to a bark and perlite mix?Does bark dry out faster? Maybe i'm watering too often...
Right now I'm soaking the roots in K-L-N rooting hormone solution. The plant has five leaves. Any suggestions welcome!

[Vanda lover]

I am surprised that it has root rot. I find that the combination of chc and perlite work really well. Perhaps holes in the sides of the pot would help? K-L-N should help. I like clear pots because you can see if they need water.

[RNCollins]

There were no rotten roots, but there were only two. The plant wasn't anchored well in the pot... It was wobbly and maybe that was one of the reasons there wasn't many roots established...

I just repotted into a mix of what I had on hand:
Medium CHC
Medium sponge rock
Medium stalite
Medium granite chips

It is repotme's Catt Classic orchid mix but hopefully for now it will work.

I use bamboo skewers. I tend to overwater so I thought paphs would be a good match for me...

[RNCollins]

Update:
I downsized into a smaller pot, using a smaller clear square type aircone pot.

[dounoharm]

smaller pot will definitely help...if you are going to water once a week, maybe some lava rock in the mix to help it dry out would be good....I find that CHC tends not to dry out well in the center of the pot with weekly waterings....more drainage, and try very very large good hard bark chunks....or just water every 10 days or so....

[RNCollins]

Originally Posted by dounoharm

smaller pot will definitely help...if you are going to water once a week, maybe some lava rock in the mix to help it dry out would be good....I find that CHC tends not to dry out well in the center of the pot with weekly waterings....more drainage, and try very very large good hard bark chunks....or just water every 10 days or so....

Hi dounoharm, the CHC dried out much faster in the heat of the summer. Here in winter we keep the house at 60 F at night and about 70 F during the day. Can you find lava rock for sale in the winter?

[Vanda lover]

I think that the mix you used should be just fine. It sounds like a good one.

[WhiteRabbit]

Using a skewer to determine when is helpful. Cooler temps do mean watering less often.

[RNCollins]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

Using a skewer to determine when is helpful. Cooler temps do mean watering less often.

I use a skewer and it always feels damp and cool in the winter in the CHC. With my orchids in the bark, which happens to be fresh, they dry out much faster.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by RNCollins

I use a skewer and it always feels damp and cool in the winter in the CHC. With my orchids in the bark, which happens to be fresh, they dry out much faster.

Sounds right