CorseMachin | Types Of Pots For Orchids - Are There Special Containers For Orchid Plants

Types of Orchid Pots Plastic Pots – Plastic pots retain more moisture in the pot mix. They also help keep the roots warmer in cooler climates. Plastic pots are very lightweight and can tip over easily with tall, top heavy plants. Clay or Terra Cotta Pots – Clay pots are heavier, leading to less tipping.

What is the best container for orchids?
Do orchids need to be in transparent pots?
Why do orchids need transparent pots?
Do orchids need special potting soil?
Should orchid roots be exposed?
Do orchids outgrow their pots?
What is the best way to repot an orchid?
Can I make my own orchid potting mix?

What is the best container for orchids?

Woven plastic or fiber pots most closely resemble how many orchids grow in nature. These basketlike containers loosely hold orchid roots and potting media, allowing air and water to easily pass through. Mesh pots are best in humid environments to ensure plants do not dry out too quickly.

Do orchids need to be in transparent pots?

Phalaenopsis orchids and others which normally grow on things rather than in the ground are used to having their roots exposed to light, indeed they seem to enjoy it, so clear pots do give them a little more encouragement.

Why do orchids need transparent pots?

For orchids grown in pots we must be extra careful not to rot or smother the roots. Because obtaining a good moisture balance is so very critical to optimal orchid care many orchid growers choose clear orchid pots so that it is easier to see when the roots are thriving and when they are not.

Do orchids need special potting soil?

Orchids require a different type of potting medium than what our typical houseplants do. ... They are therefore potted in normal potting soil. To pot an orchid in this kind of soil would ultimately suffocate its roots and kill the plant because soil cannot provide the needed airflow to the roots to survive.

Should orchid roots be exposed?

You don't need to do anything at all. This is normal behavior. If you examine the roots of your Phalaenopsis orchid, you will notice that they are thick and coated with a spongy material. This material not only helps keep the plant attached to tree bark, but it also aids nutrient absorption.

Do orchids outgrow their pots?

Orchid roots like air and will rot if kept soggy and wet. ... Moth orchids can outgrow their pots in about a year's time as their wandering roots reach outside and above the edge of the containers. Mature plants usually flower from late winter into spring and their blossoms can last for several months.

What is the best way to repot an orchid?

Gently pull the pot away from the plant and wash off the roots. Use sharp scissors to cut off any brown or rotting roots. Fill the new planter with the soaked potting medium and place the plant so that the base is right at the top of the medium. Use a chopstick to help push bits of planting medium in between the roots.

Can I make my own orchid potting mix?

For the main potting material, you can use either ground coastal redwood bark, ground Douglas fir bark, or Osmunda tree fern fiber. All these materials are coarse, and they allow air to circulate naturally around the roots of your orchid. ... Combine it with redwood bark at a ratio of 3:1 to create a healthy mix.