I need some help-- watering and Phals

[Sandy4453]

I don't know that Phals (really) have a rest period. Even though most spike once a year, they're always in some sort of growth cycle. From about December through March, they're initiating spikes, growing buds and blooming...the blooms usually last 3-4 months (some, longer). After this is when I usually see more leaf growth (though, this goes on throughout the year, even when in bloom) and by September, they're getting ready to start the cycle all over again. So, maybe then is when they're resting?

Depending on what you've got your Phal in (in your case, bark), the size of the pot and the root mass, will give an indication to how often you should be watering. Also, with warmer temps approaching now, will also play a factor in how often you should be watering. I have mine primarily in bark mix with a lot a spagh. mixed, CHC and a good amount of sponge rock. Winter, they get watered about every 10 days, this time of year they get watered every 7 days and by June, they'll be getting watered about every 5-7 days.

Make sure your Phals are in orchid pots (plastic or clay...lots of holes) and to put either, styrofoam peanuts or cork at the bottom of the pots to allow for good draining. You can always use the wooden barbeque skewers found at the supermarkets as a gauge to how wet the medium is in the centers of the pots.