Should I water Phals in pots w/ slits more often?
 

Hello,

My phals are currently potted with bark in plastic pots w/ slits. They seem to be doing great but I was wondering if I should be watering them more than 1/wk since the combination of the slits and the bark create pretty good air flow through the pot.

Thanks!

I don't think you shoul. They're doing great right?

I think they're doing pretty good but the roots that are above the bark look a bit dry

The roots that you'd really want to judge by are the ones underneath, growing through all the bark. Is your pot clear plastic? Lots of people here on the OB like the clear plastic pots so they can keep an eye on the roots down below. There is also the "skewer method" of determining whether or not it is time to water. Here's an explanation by the always-fabulous and amazing OB member Dorothy...

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...er-method.html

:goodluck:

In my experience, i had to water more freekvently than once a week when my phals are in plasticpots with slits. The medium does not seem to keep the moisture as long as in pots with dreinage only in the bottom.
But, as long as you have clear pots, its easier to judge wether you should water,slits or not.
As long as there is moist, i let it be. Mine is more often on the dry side, than the oposit...
Now in the summer, and the high tempratures now witch is unussual here, i have to water mutch more, some weeks up to three times, since the pot is all dry after two days, and i wait one more day, to bee on the safe side.
And im used to water about once a week... when our wheather is at its normal state. :roll:

I resently switch some of my phals into S/H, and this seems as an easier way to controll the watering, at least in my conditions. Im only on my first month, but this far it seems the phals has taken on to this as if nothing changed. They even seems to grow better roots now than before... I was skeptic, but stand corrected, about this kind of medium and growing. :blushing:
At least this far...

Thank you!

I recently purchased another phal for my office. I took a look at the roots of my original phal and they look dry and brittle :( This is why I'm raising this question.

So is the rule to water when you see no moisture in the clear plastic pot?

Thanks!

Steven

Moreover, if I'm watering multiple times a week, should I still be fertilizing for a 3 weeks, 1 week off or for 3 times, 1 time off?

I think this answer from whygreenberg answers that quite good.

Its not any "foolprofe" method how often to water, i learned that the hard way as i tried to use the same shedule as someone else in OB...but the conditions i have is not the same, and therefor i had to find my own way. ;)

Phals like to be a bit dry between watering, and if im feeling unsecure, i use the "skewer method".
And then i wait another day... ;)
(I am an overwaterer, i confess...and this is the safest way for my chids :blushing: )

Datousteve - what I have done to prevent the aerial roots from drying out is to place some sphag moss on the top of the medium. You can mist this in the mornings without fear of over wetting the medium and it helps to retain a bit of moisture around the aerials. I keep the moss damp but not sopping wet and allow it to dry before misting again. You'll have to guage that yourself as I don't know the humidity of the air surrounding your orchids.