Media drying out very quickly

[guccisimo85]

I started mixing my own media (primarily for cattleyas, dendrobiums). I’m using a mix of medium and small Orchiata bark, sponge rock, medium hydroton and charcoal. I’m finding that the media is drying out very quickly. Within 3 days, a skewer comes out pretty much bone dry.

My orchids are kept at a steady 85F / 60-70% humidity during the day and It drops down to about 70F/40% humidity at night. I keep an oscillating fan running during the day, as the humidity does get over 70% sometimes, but it’s a good 8-10 feet from the plants and it doesn’t stay blowing in any one spot very long.

Does this seem normal? I am soaking them for 20-30 mins every time I water are still very dry.

I’ve included an image of one of them below so you can see what the media looks like.

[Roberta]

It is normal, and also desirable for the medium to drain and dry out quickly. You don't need to soak - water so that it runs through the pot. This pulls moist air into the root zone, which is the goal. It is much better to need to water more often, than for the plant to stay wet.

[estación seca]

Part of the fun of gardening is figuring out how to do things in our specific environment. Yes, it might be drying out that rapidly. This is probably fine - Cattleyas like plenty of air at the roots, and it's better to have to water frequently with root good air circulation, rather than water at a longer interval with worse root air circulation.

Also realize bark is very hydrophobic at first. As it ages it will retain water more and more. Orchiata is known for being very difficult to wet at first.

[guccisimo85]

Thank-you both for your help!

[DirtyCoconuts]

If you can’t keep up with your mix, add a more moisture retaining substance

I grow in a dryer mix than your, less bark( like 1:20 parts) and add lava rock. I water daily (including god’s help) and i couldn’t keep it moist without a dish (I do that for some plants so that the dry mix stays moist) but that is all because I live in a swamp and I am a waterer

As ES said, dial it into your habits and then you are feeling the flow!