Skewer Method for Bark Medium

[GreenThumb]

I've got a Phal in a bark mulch medium. Around the base of the plant and presumably the roots is a mossy material which came with the plant. This material dries out very quickly and I'm not sure how to water it. Should I remove it? Removing the material would mean basically repotting the plant.

My main question is how to tell moisture in bark mulch (which does not cling to a skewer like soil would).

[mayres]

If you stick a bamboo skewer in your bark and leave it there you can periodically pull it out and check - it WILL hold moisture similar to the bark in its surroundings - I have used this method for a few phals I have in my office planted in bark and it works well. One thing you might try to rehydrate the bark is to soak it for 15-30 minutes when you water - at least for a few weeks. Another thing is that you might be surprised how moist the bark is in the middle of the pot as compared to the top where it appears to be dry. Your skewer will confirm or show this not to be true. Over time the bark will start to break down and become sponge-like - this is the time you need to think about repotting, unless you choose for whatever reason to try another media. You can repot a phal pretty much any time you like. mike