proper watering

[u bada]

I haven't had too much luck with neofinetia, although I'm very drawn to the aesthetic of the whole practice and trying them again. Got a few recently and really want to do them right this time.

The ones I had before I believe I let dry out too much, although I was told to let them dry out completely. Well, I grow outside here in SoCal, somewhat inland, and probably dried out too much in summer, and coupled with heat and low humidity, not too good on them. On other hand, when I watered them I soaked them in a bucket and think they stayed wet too long before they dried out completely... they also looked like they rotted out, started by losing lower leaves. On top of all that I gave them some direct light which is too much here. So yeah, could a number of problems but have since improved grow space and care overall.

Anyway, I'm wondering how everyone waters them here... I know in winter when cooler letting them dry out completely is fine, but during the growing season how wet are you suppose to keep them? I'm thinking I could easily keep them fairly wet for days and they'd appreciate it, particularly as humidity can be low here.

Currently the new ones are in sphag balls, except one in bark. One i've had mounted for years, did well for me but didn't water it enough last summer and it died back. Very slow comeback now it's spring, knock on wood, could be fine, we'll see.

Currently I've adjusted my watering in general with all the orchids and keep everything evenly spritzed/sprayed as to stay evenly moist with some drying out (more or less according to species of course).

thanks for your help