My Phal potting mix, watering regime & method

[OzPhal]

Hi folks,

Yet another post about my potting mix, watering regime and watering methods - my apologies - a picture paints a thousand words! So attached are some pictures of my seedlings freshly potted in 50mm clear pots and my 4 part bark, 1 part perlite, 1 part charcoal media in my growth chamber (constant 28oC and now 80% RH with a 14hr on 8hr off light cycle). These are all Phalaenopsis species.

Seedlings in the growth chamber


All of the seedlings were watered at the same time so they're displaying different drying rates:

Damp potting media - not ready for re-watering


Dried potting media - would you re-water this now or give it another day?


View through side of pot in the 'damp potting media'


So what do you experienced growers make of the above photos? also, how would you water those seedlings? I've heard many refer to the "firehose" watering method but wonder if i should wait to use that method until the seedlings are better developed. If you do use the 'Fire hose method" how do you fertilise? At the moment I was thinking of just holding my hand over the bottom and filling the pots completely - or sitting them on something so that the water will remain in the pot for a minute or so to soak in to the bark. Thoughts? Suggestions? Also, I've noticed on the tip of some roots that the growing tip is swollen and a nice green but just behind that it kind of restricts - the root is a nice colour, but what is that situation? too little moisture to the roots? adjusting to having been repotted? or is it normal? I watered the seedlings on monday, it's now thursday and i'm going to water tomorrow (Friday) - those photos were taken on wednesday so three days after watering... as i'm sure you can tell watering, and watering correctly, is one area that's causing me some anxiety. Also, I know this is an ironic question given the goal of phalaenopsis potting mix, but does it matter if there's air pockets in the mix? Does that potting mix look ok for those sized seedlings? I also regularly mist the leaves and top of the potting mix