Watering Phals

[skiye021683]

Okay total newbie question. I've been watering my orchids with ice cubes but after being on this site it doesn't seem to be the best thing for them. When I start watering my phals what do I use to check and see how much moisture they have left in them and how do I know when they need to be watered again. Thanks!

[Emma Grey]

Hi! Well, you have Phals right? If they are in plastic pots, I water when I don't see condensation on the inside of the pot. It's different for different pot sizes. For example, a 4-5 inch pot with bark mix can be watered 1-2 times weekly in my house. A 2-3 inch pot with the same mix might need watering 3 times a week. You'd have to keep an eye on yours to see when the condensation is gone.

If your plants are in clay pots a lot of people on the forum recommend the skewer method. You can find a thread about this in the Care Cultivation section of the forum. I would link but I'm on my phone.

[skiye021683]

I have 7 phals in 4 pots. They are in clear plastic pots that are placed in plastic pots are all different sizes. 2 are in bark mix and 2 are in moss.

[mayres]

It helps if you at some point decide what type of media or media combination you are most comfortable with and move all your plants to a similar media. Your question is a great one and there is a thread on here about using a bamboo skewer to tell if your plant needs watering. In short, get some at the grocery store if you don't already have some (about $1 for 100). Break off to length so that not much is above top of media - just enough to grab - twist skewer into middle of pot so that point is just beyond the geometric center. When you think you need to water, lift the skewer out and touch it to your cheek or back side of your forearm. If damp - wait. Should be just slightly showing moisture (or dry). Also, the idea of looking for condensate on the inside of the pots is a good concept. If you use a light absorbant media like a coir mix or coco cubes you can tell by just lifting up the pot/plant - light = time to water. Good luck!

[skiye021683]

A bamboo skewer is a genius idea. Thanks!

[Hummer344]

I use the skewer method and have one suggestion. Get the thicker skewers. The skinny ones rot really easy.

[syndywindy]

I use the skewer method as well for any orchid I have in bark or moss. Works great!

[La Dame Noir]

I've seen several advertisements now for a water gauge that is supposed to be especially for orchids in bark media. I'm not sure how well it works, I have to make up for all the $$$ I've spent on orchids this month before I shell out $40 on a moisture gauge.
Has anyone else tried these yet?

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by La Dame Noir

... a water gauge that is supposed to be especially for orchids in bark media. ...

I would approach this with a healthy skepticism. Why? Because it begs the question, "Which orchids?" With somewhere around 35,000 species and more than 100,000 hybrids, coming form every climate except arctic/antarctic, "orchids" can have vastly different watering needs. Not only can orchids have different watering needs, but one single orchid can require a different watering regimen in summer than it does in winter. I always get a little leery whenever I see anything for "orchids." It suggests that there might be some gross over generalization going on. I'm not saying don't try it, I'm just suggestion you first know exactly what orchids tou have and what they require and then consider hos this device might help you deliver that .