Watering Question

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by scy

Re RosieC: Although I do understand that the buds may drop due to the change of conditions, I just want to make sure it doesn't drop all its leaves like my dendrobium did. I want to do what's best for my orchid.

Loss of the leaves is likely due to problems in the roots. A dense sphag is more likely to cause problems in the roots than the change will.

There are no garantees unfortunately, but my view is that you are more likely to get problems if you leave it in overtight sphag, and the longer it's left the more likely you will have problems either before or after moving it.

As Orchid126 said, you could try a bark-sphag mixture, this might be an easier change over for it.

[BobInBonita]

I always repot from sphag immediately, because whenever I've waited it's compromised the plant. I always go to a bark mix. I estimate that bud blast occurs only about 20% of the time (if I keep the roots a little wetter than usual for a while, so the orchid adapts from the overly wet conditions to the more normal conditions in bark). I tend to grow on the dry side in winter, so a transition from sphag to my "normal" is pretty extreme otherwise.

Every now and then I do loose a few bottom leaves, but typically when the roots were already starting to go.

I agree with all of the comments above about loosing flowers being better than loosing a plant.

[Orchid126]

Before using the bark, be sure to condition it by soaking it for several hours or overnight. Missing this step can cause problems with watering. The core of the bark will be bone dry and the water will just run over the outer shell and not penetrate the bark. That may be the reason your bark is drying out and the sphag stays wet.

[Masdyman]

Your plant looks very healthy to me so I wouldn't worry too much! Just make sure the plant isn't getting too warm, the warmth may be there but the humidity won't be to match so this may be the reason the aerial roots are shrivelling. You will probably notice moisture on the inside of the pot most of the time as there will always be some moisture/condensation in the pot even when the mixture is in need of watering.

[scy]

Originally Posted by Orchid126

Before using the bark, be sure to condition it by soaking it for several hours or overnight. Missing this step can cause problems with watering. The core of the bark will be bone dry and the water will just run over the outer shell and not penetrate the bark. That may be the reason your bark is drying out and the sphag stays wet.

I soak the bark for 24-48 hours prior to using it. It's probably drying up because the humidity is not high.

[camille1585]

Don't forget that you also need to adjust your watering accordingly, you will need to water more often than in sphag, especially the first few months. Even with soaking the bark will dry out quite fast in the beginning, until it's fully 'broken in'.

[scy]

Thanks for the advice! I'll repot it tomorrow morning.

[BobInBonita]

To rephrase some of the above:

The orchid will have to adjust to new conditions (a drier medium). While adjusting it will need more frequent watering.

You will also have to adjust your practice to the new conditions (more frequent and deeper watering than in sphag).

[camille1585]

A good way to water bark potted orchids is to soak the pot for 10 min or so. That way it's fully wetted and speeds up the process of getting new bark to absorb water well.

[Masdyman]

Originally Posted by camille1585

A good way to water bark potted orchids is to soak the pot for 10 min or so. That way it's fully wetted and speeds up the process of getting new bark to absorb water well.

This was my problem with bark, it didn't re wet very well and I don't have time to soak, so turned to husk and learnt how to water all over again!.
This goes for any change in mix as already stated.