Hello Phil, Good to hear that you were able to dodge the snow and the tornado. The watering through the winter is to keep the strength of the nutrients consistent. If the manure dries out it becomes stronger when it is first watered again and can become too strong so that electrolysis is reversed and the nutrients can be drawn out from the cells. The winter watering is just to replace the moisture in the manure and the manure must be kept wet. If you water overhead, do it at such a time so that the leaves will be dry before night time, to prevent fungi. I don't know of any orchids which need a dry period. I keep all my orchids wet. With the horse manure you get flowers without dry periods. Happy growing. Nic
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