When should I water this phal?

[JKeys]

I repotted this phal with a few small, stubby roots into a four inch pot, the only pot it would fit in. The pot is called an oxygen core pot. It has this black core, then space, then a plastic clear pot.

I watered about 4 - 5 days ago, and the top layer of sphag is completely dry. However, after two inches, it is slightly damp. I can't fell down to the bottom of the pot, but there is some condensation on the plastic pot. The roots don't extend far down - only about 2 and a half inches. Should I water it, or wait?

[orchidsarefun]

there are various methods you can use to know when to water. I am sure that many will chip in on them.

What I do with my sphag-potted phals is the weight test. I water properly, allowing water to run through the bottom of the pot. I lift the pot and "feel" how heavy it is. Only when it is considerably lighter do I water again. I also bear in mind if the top layer of sphag is crispy, then it should be watered. ( my backstop ! ) This method works well for me - I have some in slitted pots, some in plastic pots. All the type and size of pot tells you is that some dry out the medium more quicker than others. Some I only need water every 2 weeks as a result. You should never use sphag in a pot more than 6 inches, because the centre takes far too long to dry out and roots tend to rot.

[cbuchman]

I too combine the weight and the fell of the sphagnum top to determine when to water. If you can see nay roots, you can also tell by the color the roots. If roots are white/silvery, then water. If they are green, then wait.

[escualida]

I use the skewer method, I stick a bamboo skewer into the pot and take it out to see if it is dry, if it's wet I wait, and if it's dry I water. For phals I might not let it get bone dry before watering again, but almost. For catts I wait 'til it's completely dry. Easy.

[NYCorchidman]

With this clear plastic pot, it is easy to monitor the moisture level inside the pot, so just observe how dry or moist it is. When roots look dry and silver, it's time to water. If though, moss look damp, you want to wait until the moss looks somewhat dry (not bone dry). Watering again when the moss is damp can suffocate the roots and kill them, which is how many many phals are killed by the way.

Top layer being dry doesn't matter. It's the inside the pot that matters, however, if you see some roots above the potting media, then I would just mist those every day to provide water.

Condensation inside plastic pot is alright. It happens with any pot, it's just that you see it because you have a clear pot. nothing to worry about.

[AnonYMouse]

I actually think the pot is too big.

You say you have only a few short roots in sphag. The roots are going to dry out a lot sooner than the sphag in the bottom half of the pot.

I would either pot down or change to a coarser material.

[JKeys]

I couldn't pot it in a smaller pot, the roots are wide but not deep. I potted in sphag so the roots could grow back easier. Does having in sphag make it easier for the roots? Also, I just unpotted it , cut the roots, and potted into a clay pot. I then ordered these new oxygen pots to increase air flow, so I took it out of the clay, removed the outer layer of sphag so it would fit, and put it into the oxygen pot. Is it ok to unpot and repot again?

[NYCorchidman]

Actually clay pots are porous, so they do breathe. moss stay moist longer than say bark, so it's probably good for the recovering roots as long as it stays moist, not dripping wet or bone dry.

Also, I don't think 4 inch pot is too big at all. Once the roots resume growth, they will fill up the space quickly.
Smaller pots dry out too quickly and I have hard time keeping plants sufficiently moist in anything smaller than 4inch pot.

Last, it's best not to disturb the plant. You've already repotted, so I would just leave the plant as it is and just keep an close eye on the moisture level of the moss.
Also, make sure the plant is not wobbly in the pot. You mentioned that you trimmed off some roots leaving only a few short ones. If the plant moves around in the pot, the roots won't establish easily. Staking is one way to keep the plant stable in the pot.

good luck!

[JKeys]

Thank you! I have staked the plant.

[NYCorchidman]

Good, now try not to disturb the plant as much as possible. It may take a while before the plant start growing roots again, especially this cold and dark season, things get even slower.
But then again, different plants show different vigor and habits, so you never know.