Potting mix drying out too fast!!
 

Hello!

I just re- potted some orchids ( 2 phals, a phaph and an odontocidium). I soaked the medium bark mixture in water for 3 hours, and then re potted my plants. Now they are drying out waay to fast! ( my phaph, (which is slighly over potted too) dries out within a day to a day and a half!

Does anyone have any advice for me? I have not changed my growing conditions (general indoor temp etc.), yet even when I re-potted with un-soaked mixture, it has never dried out so fast! Is this normal until it begins to slowly break down?

thanks!!:)

A newly re-potted orchid, potted in a bark media will dry out fast the first few months that it is re-potted. This is normal. You can add a few drops of liquid dish drops to your water to help break the water tension on the new bark.
I hope this will help you out.

Jayme

hmm ok, thats what I was wondering... its just frustrating, because I water in the morning, and after work, it seems moist, but by the next morning it is dry... so I don't want to over water!

the dish liquid will not harm the root system?

.. oh .also, would maybe watering twice a day for two days, then let dry one day work? the orchid is used to 3-4 ish days in between waterings anyways.

I probably would mist them when they look dry and water them a couple times a week. I find that works for me. good luck

What is the potting medium?

If it's bark, then it is notorious for not wetting when fresh, and I always found that soaking it in HOT water before use was the key.

As an alternative to the soap addition, try running tepid water through the mix to thoroughly wet it. wait 30 minutes and do it again. After that, a normal watering routine should emerge.