Repotting Phalaenopsis Orchid question
 

Dear Orchid friends, I hope you have not been asked this question so many times that it bores you, but I have some questions concerning potting. I have read a few books and some say that plastic pots are the way to go while others say that terra-cotta ones are the best. I have been unable to locate these "orchid pots" that I see on-line with little holes in the sides of them. Do I need something like that? Also I have seen on here that some people pot in some kind of clear, pot-liner like thing. What is the best to use? Where does one get it?

I have purchased three different bags of potting mix just because I wasn't sure what to use. One has quite large chunks of bark, charcoal, and other things. The second mix seems to be about the same but the pieces are much smaller. The third, which I stumbled upon by accident at a different store, says that it is specifically for Palaenopsis orchids and has "coarse peat" in it as well. Which do I use? What kind of pot? So many questions! Thank you so much for your time!! I do so appreciate it!:lol:

I'll answer the easy one first. No peat. Peat bad...

Peat absorbs and retains too much water for much too long in pot culture for Phals. It can also compact over time.

I'd do the large bark. The funny thing about orchids is that they breathe largely through their roots. So the large bark in the pot will provide some air to pass through.

Now the other question...

People have used all sorts of different kinds of pots with Phals. It's just a matter of determining what you want to achieve for your environment. Certain pots are more breathable than others, while others retain water better.

The short answer to your question is clay or unglazed ceramic pots keep your plant's root system a bit more aerated and a bit cooler, but is pretty lousy at water retention.

I've also posted something to the degree of this question on another member's thread. You can do a search.

However, you must decide on what works for your micro-environment. Each person's micro-environment is a bit different. A micro-environment can be different from the larger environment you're in. For example your bathroom may be more humid and bright than your bedroom is.

You know what...I just realized, I'm not sure if you know, but Phalaenopsis orchids are not terrestrial plants at all, they grow on trees. Maybe this will clarify some of the confusion.

Thanks King! :D

As to clay vs clear plastic pots, both are good. However growers use only clear plastic pots for the phals because they are capable of photosynthesizing through the roots. If light can get to the roots, the roots will help fuel the plant just like the leaves do. For us hobby growers, that's also true, and clear potted also have the added value of allowing us to see the roots. It's a good way to judge watering. Silver/white roots means the plant is thirsty, green roots means there's still enough moisture.
I don't use clay pots because of the weight, so I can' really tell you the strong points of using those. Clear pots you usually have to buy online.

Kathy, agree with all said by King and Camille. I used to use the clay orchid pots which are available at Lowes and Home Depot. I've gone over to plastic clear when I have them because they are lighter, I can see when to water, and somewhat cheaper to get from internet vendors (www.calwesttropical.com) just a source, not necessarily a recommendation. The plastic comes in multiple sizes and shapes. I don't use the plastic with the side slots because the roots grow through them and makes repotting a small problem. As for planting media, I make up my own using charcoal, bark and CHC (coconut husk chips). Don't mix large with small sized media because the small stuff fills the voids among the large chunks and decreases air circulation. As a rule, I use small sized media for smaller phals and/or finer rooted chids like paphs/phrags and larger stuff for catts, cymbids, etc....NEVER "potting soil" or peat moss. Many add perlite to their mix but I don't because I don't like the "looks" of the white stuff mixed in the mix.... just my O.C.D. Anyway, if you want clay I have a "ton" of 4.5" and 6" pots!

Ha ha! Wish you lived closer BikerDoc!

I can see the benefits of using clear pots. Perhaps I will put in an order for some. For right now though I think I will use my terra-cottas as they seem more "natural" than plastic ones. (That you can't see through I mean.)

Thank you so much for all the replies! This is so helpful and has really put my mind at ease about a lot of stuff that was keeping me up at night. :D

I like the clay pots because I tend to overwater. Plastic retains mositure longer. I also like the look of clay pots. Too much plastic in this world. But I think you should use whatever works for you.

Clay pots will dry out faster then the plastic, but they're abit weighty. I use both - just depends what you prefer.

Peat is not bad. Its rather a very good media, orchids do love it, most of my orchids grow in peatmoss, including my catts and dens.
Its very much like sphagnum moss, its important to get a good quality.

I'm an underwaterer, and if I put my chids in clay they'd be reduced to a crisp in a month! I do use clay for things that need to be watered really often like philodendrons or myrtle topiary. I'm a big fan of the clear plastic pots with slats / holes; if you need to, you can always cut them open when repotting!

Phals are tricky for me, but my friend Cookie grows phals in moss like a pro. I've seldom met a phal that I've not killed. Seriously. It's an orchid shortcoming of mine.

On a more serious note, I think the answer, like many other things regarding orchid growing, is "it depends." For real.

First, what is your environment? do you grow inside, outside, in a greenhouse? Is the humidity in your grow area high or low? How about light and temperature?

On to the very important "what kind of waterer are you?" As I mentioned before, moss is a killer for me. Except for my seedlings and humongous phalaenopsis, I have nothing else is moss. I'm a heavy waterer. I have catts in 100% lava rock and the couple of other phals I have in a mix of coir, and bark. I recently found (In another forum) a recipe for a mix that I'm going to try out. Let's see.

So, in short, it depends on your growing environment and watering habits.

As far as pots are concerned: plastic pots are lighter, you can see the roots and you can more closely monitor the moisture in the root system. Clay: some people say it allows plants to breathe more and they are sturdier--your heavy phal won't topple over. On the other hand, rest assured that your phal roots are going to cling to the pot, and upon repotting, you will have to be extra careful not to damage the root system too much.

Oh, as far as vendors are concerned, I've ordered tons of stuff from repotme.com, including plastic pots. I've never been disappointed. I've been on an aircone pot kick lately. They are fantastic, sturdy and SQUARE, which means I save on space. :) I buy those from OFE international, but you can find them anywhere on the web. Like everything else, the type of pot you end up sticking with will depend on a lot of things as well, aesthetics, price, convenience, space issues, etc.



Good luck!!


Oh, and before I write a novel, WELCOME to the OB!! There's no question that can't be answered, even if it's been asked a million times. Enjoy the hobby and welcome to the addictive world of orchids.

:)

My rule of thumb is if it is a 3 inch pot or smaller, use a plastic pot or else they will dry out to fast. 4 inch pots or larger will not dry out quickly and will rot the roots, at least that is my experience.

And I agree with others, no Peat!

I think some of you are being a bit myopic, basing your recommendation on your own experience and conditions, without considering what others' might be.

"Chunky peat" is essentially densely-packed clumps of peat moss that hold their structural integrity quite well when used a a component in a mix. In use, they provide pockets of moisture retention and allow you to used a really "open" mix otherwise, which - depending upon your conditions and watering habits - can be ideal for phals (I have used 40% coarse bark, 20% each charcoal, spongerock, & chunky peat - all about 3/4"-1").

Also, because such a blend generally dries fairly rapidly while retaining those pockets of moisture, it is no issue to put the plant in a larger pot. With phals, for example, I typically shoot for a pot having a diameter about half of the leaf-spread of the plant, sometimes more.

Ok, so I repotted my wonderful plant and found that it had some sort of moss intwined in its roots and they are all yellowish looking. I took it out, repotted it in bark and left it alone. Now today two of the three leaves fell off. I dusted the "breaks" with cinnamon. Was this the correct thing to do? The third leaf seems to be hanging on rather poorly. Is this a lost cause or can an orchid live without leaves? My poor orchid. It seem this experiment is NOT going well.... :(

PS. If this wasn't the place to put this I am sorry. Perhaps I should have made a new thread. Not sure. Sorry if I erred on that...

I agree with peewee about clinging roots in terra cotta. I generally use round plastic. When plants are top heavy or you just want to look at something other than plastic, you can always slip it into a decorative pot as camouflage.

Kathy,

Depending upon how roughly the plant was treated during the repotting process, its condition when you did, and the difference in root zone conditions from the old medium the the new, a plant can go into a bit of a "shock".

Keep it warm, humid, and shady, and make sure the medium stays damp (should not be an issue if you presoaked it well), it will likely recover just fine.

Yellow roots are normal, as long as they are firm, since they are in the dark they don't have light to make them green. Bad roots are mushy hollow roots. When you repotted in bark, did you soak the bark overnight before hand? Fresh bark doesn't hold water very well, and soaking it helps a lot. If the leaves ( before falling off) have been looking wrinkled and limp since repotting, it may not have gotten enough water. If you didn't soak the bark, no need to unpot, just stick the entire pot in a bucket or the sink, fill with water until it's level with the top of the pot, and then leave it an hour or so.

Oh dear, I actually didn't soak the bark before potting. I am learning so much here! Will go put it in the sink right away. The leaves were quite mushy and wrinkly when I repotted and they just kind of pulled off. I thought was being careful but I guess I wasn't. We'll see what it looks like after it comes out of the sink. Thanks again everyone! You guys are the best!

If the leaves were wrinkly and came away easily then they would have probably come off however careful you were while repotting so don't blame yourself on that.

I agree with the other advice you have got. Good luck.