Just repotted...how to water???

[DSHoll0426]

I just repotted my phal because it was growing mold throughout its pot. (I know I was told not to worry about the mold, but I was just nervous about its continued growth each time I watered and how the growing mold would effect air quality.) I repotted my phal in a bark, charcoal, coarse perlite mixture. How often should I water and fertilize?

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Best way to tell when to water is to do the weight test. Water you phal early in the morning and avoid getting water into the crown. Feel the weight of the pot. In a couple of days -depending on air conditioning , heat, etc.., lift the pot and feel if it is really light. If so, wiggle your index finger down into the bark mix and see if you feel moisture. If not, time to water. If it is still a bit damp, wait and check it the next morning.

Regarding fertilizer: We fertilize each week. The old saying goes "fertilize weakly-weekly.' Mix your balanced fertilizer 1/4 strength. Wet the orchid bark by running water through the pot. Next pour your fertilizer through the bark mix. Avoid the crown of the plant both times. Do this once a week. The next time you water, just run clear water through the mix. This will remove any excess salts that might build up from your fertilizer regimen.

Cheers,
BD

[JUDIUK]

Thanks BD this has answered a query for me, Judi

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Thanks BD this has answered a query for me, Judi

Cool! Glad to have helped!

Cheers,
BD

[padams2359]

Due to the excessive heat, and lack of rain, the humidity here has dropped, yes, the humidity in South Louisiana has dropped. Before you pack you bags and head down here, that means maybe in the 60's. The temp is in the mid to upper 90's, heat index to about 105. I usually go around at least every couple of days with a spritz bottle and give them a couple of squirts. Should I only be doing this directly on the medium, or do some Genuses like an all over cooling off?

I have Dends, Phals, Paphs, Cats, Vans, Ocid A, MiltXBrass.

[Ron-NY]

A spray bottle spritz most likely is not doing very much. Air circulation is important on keeping a plant healthy during high heat. Most of these plants are tropical so they can handle high heat. In a greenhouse heat can rise rapidly but outdoors they should be just fine. If the humidity is low, things will dry faster. Phals need constant moisture and should never go completely dry.

When repotting, you should repot into premoistened medium. I soak my medium overnight prior to repotting.

[Phyrex]

How do you keep track of your watering since some are on a different schedule because they like to dry out b/w watering? Then there is the fertilizer issue. I used to water every 5 days for the catts and add the phals every 10 days but then the fertilizing gets weird. Do you guys just change the medium and control the days in between watering like that?