Poll on the Best Pots and media.

[ipsomatic9]

I would like to take a poll from all of you orchid lovers out there.

Given my 3 Orchid types and their individual needs:

What is the best pot and potting material to keep each one in?

1. Phalaenopsis
mounted: 0
plastic pot: 2
square, clear plastic "air-cone" pot: 1
sphagnum: 2
sphagnum w/ inner pot: 1
sphagnum w/ styro peanuts in bottom: 1
clay pot: 0
bark: 1
small fir bark: 0
medium grade bark: 1
fine grade bark: 0
bark, charcoal, perlite: 1

2. Masdevallia
mounted: 0
plastic pot: 1
square, clear plastic "air-cone" pot: 1
sphagnum: 3
sphagnum w/ inner pot: 0
sphagnum w/ styro peanuts in bottom: 0
clay pot: 0
bark: 0
small fir bark: 0
medium grade bark: 0
fine grade bark: 0

3. Oncidium
mounted: 1
plastic pot: 2
square, clear plastic "air-cone" pot: 1
sphagnum: 0
sphagnum w/ inner pot: 0
sphagnum w/ styro peanuts in bottom: 0
coconut husk chips (chc) mix: 1
clay pot: 1
bark: 2
small fir bark: 1
medium grade bark: 0
fine grade bark: 0
bark, charcoal, perlite: 1

I'll keep tallies!

[Gin]

Hard to say what is the best a lot depends on your growing conditions I can tell what I grow mine in our conditions are probably a lot different what works for me might not where you are . Phals. are in plastic pots most are in Spagh. moss not packed tight . My Masdies. are also in plastic in moss .
I have a mule ear Oncid that is in bark in a big clay pot . also some of the Tolumnia miniature Oncids. that are mounted .. Gin

[WhiteRabbit]

well - I have a couple phals in sphag, tho due to the need to replace sphag frequently (breaks down faster than other media) I don't know if I will use sphag again for them when it's time to repot in a few months. I have one Phal in bark. All are in plastic pots. For the Phals I have potted in sphag, one, (in 4" pot) I have also placed an overturned net pot inside the plastic pot, the other (in 2" pot) I have styro pnuts in bottom of pot, and one styro pnut at the base of the plant, to increase aeration, and for sphag to dry more evenly.

I don't grow Masdies, so can't say.

All my Oncidiums, and Onc alliance inter-generics are in plastic pots, most in coconut husk chips mix, tho I do have a few in small fir bark mix.

I have bamboo skewers in all my orchid pots to help me determine when to water, so I can manage the watering of different media, different pots (plastic or clay) quite well.

[camille1585]

What to grow your orchids in really depends on your conditions and climate. In hot dry places, clay pots make the medium dry out too fast. For sphag, many people have trouble with it, and it could be due to watering habits (people that tend to be heavy on watering should avoid it) or climate (in cooler and more humid areas it may not dry out very fast.)

Masdies do generally quite well in sphag since they like a lot of moisture.

Personally I grow my Phals in medium grade bark in plastic pots. Oncidiums are potted the same , but I use finer bark based medium

[ipsomatic9]

Thanks for the responses so far! The best research is based on experience so, everyone keep weighing in.

[jrodpad]

I tend to use plastic pots or plastic baskets for just about everything. I've grown more and more fond of the plastic "air cone" pots because (1) they are translucent, so they let light in and allow you to check the roots/moisture just by looking, (2) they are square-ish, so they are easy to arrange, attach posts to, line up, etc., (3) they have that cone in the center, which let's in air, allows the medium to dry evenly and reduces (if not prevents) those situations where the roots are all strong and healthy except for in the center of the root mass - which is the most important thing for me. I snap up a bunch in all sizes whenever I come across them.

I'm not a sphagnum guy - I much prefer bark, but will grow in moss if need be (I'm talking to you Masdie).

My bark mix is a mix of bark chips, charcoal and crushed up pearlite. Love the stuff and use different grades (small, medium or large) depending on the moisture requirements.

-J