watering question??

[Flaorchid]

I recently purchased a phal in bud and now it is in full bloom. It is in a plastic container with all bark i believe. well it seems to dry out very very fast. I stick a wooden skewer into the pot and it is always dry. I fear overwatering it if i water everytime it is dry, because that is every 1 to 2 days.

[jerrymeola]

It does sound like you may be mistakening the reading on the skewer, but if it is outside right now in Florida it can be using that much water.

I have a group of Phals I just moved outside that are in hydroponic and they get watered 20 minutes every day.

Everything I grow is on a 20 minute daily watering now.

[tom499]

jerry is right, as long as your taking the reading correctly, and it really is dry throughout give it another soak. how are you watering it? are you pouring water onto the surface abit, or are you leaving it to soak in a bucket for 10 minutes? how much water you give it at waterings decides how soon it will need watering again

[Flaorchid]

I usually water it every 4 - 5 days by pouring water into the pot until it comes out the bottom. i mist just about everyday as well. but like i said it seems to be completely dry every day. I am in central florida too.

[PhalPal]

Keep in mind that the answers you get will depend on where the responder is growing their orchids. Also consider the season, the media they use, greenhouse, inside a house, or on a patio. Depending on many variables, I can water my phals everyday or every 8-9 days!

[DDS2007]

same thing happens to me when i try the skewer methods on Phals potted in bark. but the good thinkg is i have them potted in clear plastic pots so i can actually SEE when they need watering, i do so usually once per week

[Aniko]

Clear pots are very practical, I love them.

[prisana]

flaorchid..
Did you leave the skewer inside the pot the whole time ? If not, it needs to be left stuck inside the pot, not just sticking it in to see if it's wet. The whole idea is for the skewer to be part of the medium ,so if the medium is wet , so is the bark, vice-versa with the dryness.