PhalPal - I also have tried this mix 50/50 with fine bark & perlite on one of my five cymbidiums. Maybe should have gone the full route like you did, but I am very new to them and wasn't sure how well it would work - kind of wish I would have after reading your post. So far it looks excellent (since March).
Sandra - I have not tried that brand of coir, but it might be good (?). Just to give you something to compare - the type I use comes in an approximate 1/2 cubic foot package (12X12X5.5 inches). Sorry to you metric lovers
You did notice that I used "grams" in my earlier illustration though?
I paid $14 for this brand. They also had a cheaper brand that was $8 for the same quantity - but the worker at the store said it wasn't as good and I wanted the "good" stuff for my plants!
Some time ago I promised someone on the forum a sample of the media I use - they had expressed some questions/concerns about some they had seen. I figured what better way to see for yourself what a great job it does than see it perform with a nice healthy plant in it?
In terms of watering, this media wets thoroughly very easily from the top. You may have seen in another post that I fill my bathtub with phals and then water them thoroughly from the top - leaves and all. As long as you do it early in the day and have plenty of air movement there is never an issue with crown rot - at least I've never noted any issue.
I started out using a skewer too, but soon realized how easy it is to tell when watering is needed by the weight of the plant/pot/media - you will see this too.
Keep us updated from time to time how you like this media - I'm betting you will join Phalpal and I in touting its good characteristics. mike