Black Landscape fabric

[orchidsarefun]

I read about a tip to cover the holes in the bottom of the pot with a bit of landscape fabric. Designed to stop small bits of gunk running out the bottom of the pot. Well it works, but the build-up of this gunk ( fine bark etc ) is also delaying the water seepage. I am wondering if its a good idea after all. Has anyone else used this ?

[Magnus A]

No it is not a good idea. You do not want to build up the "gunk" but rince it out of the pot as fast as possibly!

[silken]

If you need to keep finer bark from falling out of pot holes, you could try a mesh bag like onions sometimes come in.

[cbuchman]

I've also had good luck with fine mesh screen . It's good to use aluminum screening if you can since it won't rust. I have some left over from a home improvement project. So you can probably get some at any home improvement store.

[james mickelso]

Any material or hobby store like Michaels or Joanns fabrics will have plastic screenlike stuff that is used to crochette or hook rug making. It lasts forever. I used it to cover bonsai pot bottoms with. Or Home Cheapo or Lowes has 1/8 or 1/4 hardware cloth (mesh wire) that is galvanized. That's what I use now. Works very well.

[tucker85]

Can't you just place the pot on a saucer to catch any debris falling out? I water my orchids in a sink or outdoors and I flush them really well. That way any debris is flushed out of the pot.

[orchidsarefun]

thanks for all the suggestions. I have to do something as the bath is in danger of being gunked up and I can't water outdoors. I will closely monitor the situation, I have only done about 4 pots with the fabric.