my miltoniopsis obsession/ issues

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Hey guys, ok, so I have this issue with my two miltoniopsis. I already posted pics of my healthy one, but I have a smaller one that never did as well as I had hoped it would. It has new growths and roots, but i am worried it is being overwatered!

I have read tons of books and online sources on orchids, and understand what things want. (I purchased 6 books!) I think my issue is understanding how to interpret things. This sounds confusing, but let me explain; my interpretation of 'almost dry' could be different from other peoples etc. Could any of you please give me your input on 'moist'? Does that mean it feels slightly damp or what?

anyways, I just repotted that miltoniopsis, in a 4" pot, and I put small holes all over the pot, to increase the ammount of air to the roots. At this rate, it will dry completely between 1.5- 2 days... so I can't possibly kill this orchid: I can't stay wet long enough!! Now my problem is deciding when is the right time to water!

also, I guess the 'pencil test' doesnt work for miltoniopsis right?

Please give me insight! Thanks!

[GreggC]

Moss holds more water than bark, for instance. Also, it would depend on what kind of pot you are using. Obviously, you are using plastic. Clay pots will absorb some of the water you put on orchids which are potted in them. When you ask a question, please try to provide as much information as you can to the person(s) you are asking. Understand, I am not criticizing, just trying to get you to understand the data that is relevant to your question. (Much of this is force of habit from hort classes I took)

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im using a fine/medium grade sultz bark mix and it is in a 4" plastic pot.

Also, I was just asking what "evenly moist" should feel like. Therefore while the different medium may feel different in texture, the ammount of water retention within it should feel the same.

So... if i put my finger down into the mixture, and it feels slightly damp, but not wet, it it time to water?

[GreggC]

evenly moist is that you don't let it entirely dry out, therefore it is more "evenly moist." It should not be standing in water when it is watered, either. Am I making any sense? How often do you water?

[(..._...)]

i water every 1.5 to 2 days- the bark mixture dries out quickly. After 2 days or a tiny bit longer, the plant would by completely dry.

Yes you make sense

[GreggC]