Orchid Pots (or Not)
Orchid Pots (or Not)
All orchids need a container or a “stage” to grow in or on. The most common container would, of course, be an orchid pot. There are many, many pots on the market and most will work as containers for orchids. Many orchid growers think that the best pot is a plastic pot. That’s because orchid roots do not cling to plastic pots as often as they do to ceramic or clay pots or pots of other materials. Orchids are plants that you need to repot fairly often so the part about not clinging is something to think about, although other pots are often prettier. Even better, though, is the CLEAR, plastic pot with some holes in the bottom.
One of the reasons that orchid hobbyists repot often is because it’s a good idea to get a look at orchid roots on a regular basis. An orchid root should be white with green tips. If it looks mushy or brown, the root needs a little surgery to return to its normal healthy state. In a clear pot a lot of the roots are visible to the grower without the grower actually having to yank the orchid out of the pot. The grower will still have to remove the orchid from its pot sometimes to check for miniscule pests, etc. But the clear pot does save some repotting. Remember that potting material tends to dry out more quickly in a plastic pot than in a ceramic or clay pot. If you’re keeping your orchid outside, a ceramic or clay pot may still be the best choice because plastic pots tend to blow over more easily than ceramic or clay pots.
How about pot size? Orchids tend to do better in small pots. Lots of orchids live very happily in six inch pots. In hot, dry climates, orchid growers should choose deep pots. It keeps the orchid’s planting medium from becoming too dry. If you live in a moist, cool climate, the opposite is true. Choose a shallow pot like a fern pot or a half pan. Orchids do not appreciate “wet feet” and sitting in water for too long, which would not dry up very quickly in a damp, cool environment, is detrimental to the health of the root and therefore to the orchid plant.
If your orchid has very long roots you need to choose a deep pot no matter what your climate is like. If you have the kind of orchid that has roots that like to spread across the top of the pot, a shallow, broad pot will fit the bill.
Some orchids do very well in baskets made out of wire, plastic, mesh, wood or pottery. Baskets allow lots of air circulation around the roots and through the potting medium. This is good and bad. The roots won’t get really wet but you need to make sure that they don’t get too dry. Baskets are nice for orchids that have hanging blooms.
There are orchids that don’t do well in pots at all. These are orchids that grow, in the wild, on trees. They do best on a flat piece of bark or a block of wood or cork. If you decide to use a basket to hold your orchid you’re going to need one of these pieces of bark or wood to put in the bottom of the basket for the orchid to grow on. Otherwise, a flat piece of bark or wood can be secured to a post or tree or whatever suits your fancy, and whatever keeps your orchid happy and healthy!
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