If the bark is dry, you could soak the plant/pot in a bowl of water for about an hour or longer. Once the bark is wet, you can judge how long it takes to dry out. You get a 'feel' for the weight of the pot. Some people like to use the skewer method to determine when the bark is dry.

Jane

Put a trimmed down kitchen skewer into the medium and leave it there. The next time you think the plant needs water take out the skewer and touch it to your cheek, lip, or the back of your hand. If it's dry or just moist, water. If it's wet, don't water. How wet or dry the skewer is before you water depends on the needs of the orchid. Phals like to almost dry out before being watered again.

Here's a tip I picked up from an orchid growing friend. Every compost is different. Some dry out fast and others take an age and you're right, it's not that easy to tell by look or feel. Buy some cress (or any another fast germinating) seed and sow it on the compost after watering. See how long it takes for the seedlings to wilt. That will be your average watering time, plus a day or two.

So true. I'm guilty of letting some weeds grow to remind me when to water. Clover is good; it has deeper roots and when it wilts, I water. Not very attractive, but it does work.

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