Phrag & Paph - suitable pots to grow in - Orchid Board

ladyslipper · #1 (**permalink**) 10-05-2008, 06:53 PM

Hi guys, can anyone tell me the best kind of pot to grow a phrag/paph in? I read that the tall and narrow kind are good for phrags.

I can't find any online ordering company for Canada, only one from the states (shipping was $25+ and that didn't include border fees (which are really a huge nuisance!).

If you know of a place in Canada, can you let me know who? I have no doubt they are out there, I just don't know who you are! I am going to call around to some of the garden centres here. Maybe I will get lucky!

thanks mary

Ross · #2 (**permalink**) 10-05-2008, 06:59 PM

Herein lies the problem

First we need deep and narrow. Paph and phrag roots ten to dig deep and wander good. Also, the pots should (in my mind) be side vented to allow the mix to evenly dry up. I prefer "clear" pots of this spec but haven't fpound any sources to date. So your choices are to 1) over pot in width so you can get the depth and venting from other shaped pots, or 2) go with green or black pots that are tall but not vented.

Either way, we lose. Why is it so hard to get decent pots manufactured?

Have no clue.

ladyslipper · #3 (**permalink**) 10-05-2008, 07:18 PM

Hi Ross, Quarter Acre have pots they call Anderson Band Pots which are tall and narrow. These pots have two "bands" across the bottom and should be okay for phrags & paphs. I hate to sound overally dumb but I can't figure out how the medium is held in with the holes being so big on the bottom? Also, with a shipping charge of $25, thats a major "owie"

Has anyone used Anderson band pots before so they can tell me how the medium is held in?

Any clarification would be really appreciated. regards, m

Ross · #4 (**permalink**) 10-05-2008, 07:54 PM

I have abunch of these and have the same question. How can I use them, now that I have them? And they are black, so we can't monitor condition of the mix. Have no idea haw anyone uses these.

kiki-do · #5 (**permalink**) 10-05-2008, 08:17 PM

I don't know what Anderson Band Pots are, but orchid pots with large holes I generally use an onion bag in the bottom to hold everything in. Works good for me. Hope that helps!

Lagoon · #6 (**permalink**) 10-05-2008, 09:55 PM

Mary,

Have you tried repotme.com?
Its not necessary to use tall pots for slippers. The roots grow acustom to any pot size, so its' really not an issue in my mind. I would give phrags some extra room over paphs, they're root systems grow faster.

I use sphag or large charcoal & sometimes large perlite on the bottom layers.

Orchid Supplies - Orchid Mix - Orchid Pots - Orchid Fertilizer - Repotme Orchid Supplies

Lagoon · #7 (**permalink**) 10-05-2008, 10:11 PM

Opps! I almost forgot - doesn't Ray carry clear pots?

s.kallima · #8 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 07:51 PM

CloudsOrchids in Canada have what they call Plastic Chinese Cymbidium Pots, maybe this is what you are looking for ?
The Supplies Catalogue !

ladyslipper · #9 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s.kallima

CloudsOrchids in Canada have what they call Plastic Chinese Cymbidium Pots, maybe this is what you are looking for ?
The Supplies Catalogue !

Hi there, thanks for the link to the The Supplies Catalogue but they are way too expensive for me! They wanted $6.95 per small pot and $7.95 per large pot. I was also a bit confused about something they said about shipping so they are truly a "no go". I am hopeful on another site, US Orchid Supplies. They had pots at a better price but I don't know about them shipping to Canada. I have an email out to them. Don't get me wrong, I love Canada but its seems really hard to get some of what I would consider basics for growers and don't get me started on getting plants across the border. Do they actually think things like orchids are any more of a threat echologically than things that blow across the border or fly in the feathers of a bird?
regards, mary

brooke · #10 (**permalink**) 10-06-2008, 08:27 PM

I have used the Anderson Band pots on a couple of paphs and put p'nuts in the bottom to hold the mix in the pot. You get great drainage and some air to the bottom of the pot.

I also prefer the taller than wide pots for phrags and paphs. If the pot is wider than tall, the roots wrap around the pot rather than growing deep and it makes repotting harder because of root disturbance.

Mary check garden centers for empty half gallon, sorry don't know the Canadian equivalent, square pots. These pots are tall, have broad ribbing running up and down and the phrag roots grow straight down, not wrapping around the sides of the pot. I wish I could find gallon pots in the same design when it is time to pot them up to the next size.

Brooke