Watering phals

[Watertiger]

Hi folks,
I repotted phals into clear orchid plastic pots. I chose pots with only bottom holes because my experience with slotted walls and mesh pots was rather frustrating as I needed to carefully cut away these containers in order not to damage the protruding roots (repotme’s argument that mesh pots sitting in a clear plastic pot encourage circular root growth is, in my experience, nonsense!). Now, these former containers required me to water every 4-7 days depending on plant size and ambient conditions. But the new pots - in which I repotted the plants two weeks ago - are still showing inside condensation so I am not inclined to water. However, considering that it has been two whole weeks since the phals received their last water/fertilizer, I wonder whether this is unusually long. I also mist the plants every 2-3 days. Can it really happen that a phal thus potted needs only to be watered every few weeks (or perhaps even only once per month)? This would go against everything I’ve so far read on caring for phals. Please, send me some feedback concerning this. Thank you all!

[camille1585]

Clear plastic pots with only bottom holes are fine for growing, I only use those and many other people do as well. They should be drying out in a week, maybe 10 days at most. Several weeks, or a month, sounds rather long.

How is the pot size in relation to the root mass? Phals like being snug, meaning that you should generally choose the smallest pot the roots comfortably fit in. The more roots there are to take up water, the quicker the medium dries out.

What medium are you using? If you aren't overpotting, then you can consider using a coarser medium so that it dries out faster. Or, change to a different type of medium entirely depending on what you are now using.

[Ravi]

My suggestion:
Go by the color of the roots, Phals have big thick roots if the roots are grayish the velum is dry and the plant needs watering.soon as hydrated the velum absorbs like a blot ink paper and the roots turn green. As is known Phals have no pseudo bulbs to store energy & water which is done by the root coverings of the orchid. Other suggestion weight of the pot which will feel lighter after the medium dries up. Lastly of course appearance of the leaves important indicators
No harm in leaving the orchid unwatered for short spells as per the weather conditions