growing mix ??
 

I repotted my three phalaenopsis orchids in orchid bark and now I am unable to determine when to water. The bark seems to stay dry and when I water them thoroughly, the bark appears to be dry very soon thereafter...within the same day or so. Does anyone have experience with growing orchids in bark and how to determine when to water?

I use bark for my Phals. I also use "clear" pots to check condition of bark and roots. I have settled on every other day for my watering in my conditions. Bark can get pretty dry between waterings sometimes. The thing to remeber, though, is the Phal roots absorb fertilizer/water when you supply it. I think of the bark as a supporting medium only. If it's dry, that may be better than wet in my judgement.

New orchid bark won't hold water very well, so your observations of it may be correct. You can check it for dryness by either poking a finger in and seeing how it feels or a pencil and then looking to see if the pencil's wood is dry.

Before potting (and maybe yopu know this) it helps to put the bark in a bowl and pour boiling water onto it, then allow it to soak for a while. Make sure the bark is cool before potting!

Phals like to dry out between waterings but also need humidity to encourage "air" roots to grow...I agree with pouring boiling water over my bark mixtures before re-potting any of my chids...you may want to consider placing the plants on a humidity tray - you can accomplish this by using terracota saucers and put pea gravel in it and then fill it with water just below the top of the gravel. This will create humidity and help reduce the frequency of watering...:goodluck: