If any of you have been house/apartment hunting lately, you know how complicated it can be to find just the right home. There are large sprawling ranches on acres of rolling countryside, small bungalows in town, apartments overlooking the concrete jungles of the big cities, etc. A person is capable of "putting down roots" and living in any of these. The trick is to find the perfect "home" where you will be the most happy and content.
Deciding on the correct pot in which to plant your orchid can be just as confusing. There are plastic pots, clay pots, deep pots, shallow pots, pots with slits, pots with and without holes. Choosing the perfect pot for your orchid depends on the type of orchid, the growing environment, and your care and watering schedule.
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Ludisia discolor
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Any pot you choose should have at least some drainage holes. There is no acceptable way to water your orchid properly if the pot does not drain. Water will sit at the bottom, causing root rot. The standing water will also turn rancid and cause your media to mold and decay quickly. This is not good for any plant!
Plastic pots are lightweight, relatively inexpensive, and hold moisture nicely. They can be used with most types of orchids as long as they have drainage.
Clay pots are a bit heavier. Their weight may be a good quality if you are potting a tall orchid that tends to tip over easily. Clay pots also "breath" better than plastic. They will dry out a bit quicker than plastic because the air penetrates the clay. Thus, clay pots are advisable in humid growing areas, or if you have a tendency to over-water.
"Orchid" pots are usually made of a clay type material and are sometimes glazed to make them a bit more decorative. they usually have lots of slits or holes in the sides of the pot as well as the bottom. Plants potted in these pots dry out very quickly due to the air penetration through all of the openings. "Orchid" pots are OK to use in extremely humid growing areas, or in places where the plant is watered and/or misted frequently. Orchids can also be potted in a simple plastic pot and then set inside of the "orchid" pot for decorative purposes.
Most orchids will "put down roots" and live in any of the above-mentioned pots. The trick is to find the pot that your plants are most happy in. If you are potting a Phalaenopsis or Phragmipedium, a plastic pot is usually advisable because they hold a bit more moisture, as these plants do not like to get severely dry. If you grow in a very humid environment, plastic pots may hold too much moisture-thus clay would be a better choice. Most orchids with pseudobulbs, such as Dendrobium and Cattleya, like to dry out quickly between watering - thus clay is a good choice.
There is no right or wrong pot to put your plants in. However, finding the pot that will make your plant the happiest is key to successful growing. Happy plants put out strong roots and new growth, and will bloom better, providing you with life-long enjoyment from this fascinating hobby!
Happy Growing,
Liese
