Does the type of orchid pot influence the quality of the root system?

[peeweelovesbooks]

Hi there.


I've been wondering this for a while. Does the type of orchid pot influence the quality of the root system?

Am I crazy for thinking this? Everything being equal, will, say, a cattleya grow long thin roots in plastic pots versus fatter roots in clay?

I notice that my catts and laelias develop very long, thinner roots, and grow straight into the medium (hydroton), yet I have seen pictures online where catts grow thicker, fatter roots which crawl all over the place when potted in clay?

Is clay inherently better?