Clay Pots - Orchid Board

britbloke · #1 07-07-2010, 07:52 PM

I just found an inexpensive source for clay pots if you're close to Ft Myers, Florida.

Old Time Pottery has 4.3" clay for $0.35, out of 6" pots, 8" pots about $1 each.

I modify mine with 4 slots on the sides/bottom, because the first thing Florida growers told me was " maximize drainage, airflow and speed of drying".

It takes about a minute a pot using an angle grinder, much quicker than trying to drill holes...

Most of my orchids are still seedlings so I use a lot of 4.3" pots. Tony

WhiteRabbit · #2 07-07-2010, 08:59 PM

wow nice! wish i could get some

RJSquirrel · #3 07-07-2010, 10:00 PM

#1 good idea!!! and why I dont use more clay are not enough drainage..you solved that one pretty easy.. you know I started with clay and bounced around some plastic pots and I started to notice something about the clay pots I had still in use..they sit in the hot window all day long and collect heat that they give up at night that keeps the plant warm and comfy..but on the other hand during the day when watered they keep the plants cooled down..I'm starting to turn again to clay as an all around good pot to use...nice work mister!! hmmm im going to grind on some clay pots this weekend!!

britbloke · #4 07-07-2010, 10:22 PM

I guess we all try different things for our own conditions. I've always liked clay because I'm a habitual overwaterer, which together with daily Florida rain storms (in summer, I grow outside) means I have to pay special attention to drying out my plants.

I'm also experimenting with terra-cotta mounts, mainly because I see so many orchids that seem to love to attach their roots to clay pots, it seems logical to my feeble mind that they must like something about the medium.

#5 07-07-2010, 11:41 PM

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peeweelovesbooks · #6 07-08-2010, 07:10 AM

Yeah, I have recently moved my rupics to clay and they seem to love it. Still toying around with the idea of changing everything over to clay.

I wish I had the capabilities to customize the pots though--yours look awesome.

britbloke · #7 07-08-2010, 07:24 AM

Well, if you're ever in the Naples area, I'd be glad to share some of mine (mainly 4.3" pots) or even put some slots in your pots. As I said in my original post, it only takes a couple of minutes/pot

How do you grow your rupicolous?

peeweelovesbooks · #8 07-08-2010, 11:15 AM

Hi there britbloke. Unfortunately, I'm in Miami, but your offer is very kind!!

After trying to grow my rupics in plastic pots with hydroton, I moved them to clay and they seem to be really REALLY liking it. The only thing I dislike is that since the pots are so small, they topple over easily. But I'm seeing new roots and growths everywhere all of a sudden.

Lorraine · #9 07-08-2010, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by britbloke

It takes about a minute a pot using an angle grinder, much quicker than trying to drill holes...

Tony

OK Tony...so what is an angle grinder and what does it look like??? Do you grind the pots dry or wet? I have plenty of pots that need more openings and I know I'll crack them with a drill. I have some bulb pans that need fixin'.

Lorraine · #10 07-08-2010, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peeweelovesbooks

After trying to grow my rupics in plastic pots with hydroton, I moved them to clay and they seem to be really REALLY liking it. The only thing I dislike is that since the pots are so small, they topple over easily. But I'm seeing new roots and growths everywhere all of a sudden.

You can try putting the smaller pots in a larger vanda basket to keep them upright till they get moved to a bigger pot. (I sometimes put large lava rock between them to fill empty spaces) Then bungee them on your new orchid bench. hehe.