pots question
 

So their are a lot of differant types of pots out there what are the best or is it all prefeance? i like fired and glazed pots for there looks but are they bad in any way?

Personally I prefer clear plastic pots with slits on the sides and good drainage holes in the bottom. I like to be able to see what is going on with the roots. Sometimes I slip them into ceramic orchid pots for appearance or if I need heavier pot to keep the chid from falling over. I don't think ceramic pots are bad to use as long as there are a lot of drainage and air holes. Not sure about the glazed ones though, I don't think they breath as well as unglazed and may keep the medium too wet.

Hi Dendro, welcome to the OB :waving

I agree with Judi that clear plastic pots are probably the best for orchids. I have a couple that are then put inside glazed ceramic pots which have good drainage at the base.

I use unglazed clay orchid pots for Cattleya or Lealia type orchids because they dry more rapidly and those orchids like to dry completely between waterings. I like clear plastic for Phals. because they like to stay moist. I only tried glazed pots a couple of times and I did not have success so I stopped using them. My problem with those orchids may not have been the pot.

I use clay orchid pots also, they dry quick and have excellent air flow, even my Phals have adjusted.

As Tucker alluded to, the choice of pot should really be determined by the needs of the plant, coupled with the choice of potting medium, your cultural conditions, and watering habits.

As there is more than one way to skin that cat, if you like a particular pot, it is possible to modify things to accommodate.

Ditto to every word, Tucker. The only thing I'll add is that the clay orchid pots add much needed weight that helps keep my taller Catts from tipping over.

That's an excellent point. Many Catts can get very tall and the extra weight from a clay pot is a big advantage.

I like clay because they dry faster and look better than plastic pots.

But recently I am happy with net pots from the hydroponic store. They are cheap. I can hang them buts by using a common binder clip.

I often put the net pot inside of a clay pot so I have the best of bith worlds.
I am always afraid that a reg plastic pot may keep the bottom/ center too wet whent the top is dry. Also I think the more conical shape of clay pots makes the bottom dry faster [less medium at teh bottom rather than the top]

the ones i use a made for orchids so they in my mind should work well.

Several people here in south Fla have recommended net pots to me. I am definately going to give them a try when I repot next spring. What medium are you using in them?

depends .
coco chips, moss, some perlite, some hydroton.
I like net pots. really cheap at one store. You can see whats going on and you can use them with hydroton for S/H just by putting them on a tray or water or on top of a glass/ cup that fits snugly.

in traditional culture you can also put them inside a clay pot so it helps keep humidity around the roots but still get good areation.

I have a clay glazed pot and everything I put in it dies, for some strange coincidence. Not orchids tho