Holes (or not) in terra cotta pots?

[jkhom]

I grow all of my orchids (oncids, catts, phals, etc.) in terra cotta pots with holes or slots in the sides. My success has been relatively good as I keep an eye on the moisture level and water accordingly.
My neighbor has her orchids in fancy terra cotta pots without holes/slots, some are glazed. She is having a problem most notable with a large oncidium where there is no new root growth and the p'bulbs are all shriveled. I think she is killing her plants with too much care. The media seemed too wet when I was examining her plant and I believe she is overwatering all of her orchids.
Would it be wise to drill several 1/2" holes around the sides of her pots to allow for air? Would it be better to just drill more holes on the bottoms? Do you use pots with or without holes?

[jkofferdahl]

I personally prefer slotted terra cotta pots. But, of course, I am old school, and started potting my orchids long before the really nice, user-friendly clear plastic pots were introduced.

I've tried drilling terra cotta pots. You can do so, but it works best with a masonary drill bit - the clay tends to shatter or at least chip if you use a regular drill bit. IMHO it's just easier to buy the pots made with slots. They're pretty cheap.

[JennS]

I use all clay pots as well because I need the extra weight to anchor the plants for growing outdoors. I have never had an orchid in a pot that did not have at least a hole in the bottom for drainage. The orchid type terra cotta pots are the ones you are describing with the slots on the sides. Those are preferrable because they allow more circulation for the roots. Also, when you set the other ones (with only one hole in the bottom) down on a solid surface, the water can drain, but the circulation is on a much smaller scale.

I would venture to say that , yes indeed, she needs to move her plant into a pot with some holes (at least one if not more). I would suggest repotting it as well into fresh medium because her current pot does not allow drainage and therefore the medium will break down faster. Your mention of the pbulbs being shriveled makes me thing the root system must be very minimal which would mean the pbulbs would shrivel because they are not getting water. My guess is that she has alot of root rot on that plant.

There could also be many other factors contributing to her lack of root growth. It could have to do with her lighting, fertilizing (or lack of), etc. Even if the owner forgets to fertilize for years, the plant may still produce new growths and blooms for a year or more, but eventually it will run out of nutrition. So, I would ask her about those two factors as well.

Additionally, if you think the medium was too wet, and she hadn't just watered that day, then you are probably correct about her needing holes. I would say, yes a hole must be drilled in the bottom of the pot and more on the sides would be good as well. Again though I would recommend removing the plant from the pot to inspect the roots and remove the dead or rotted ones ASAP. Then place in fresh medium in the pot with holes. Good luck!

[John D.]

Sounds like overwatering. The holes could help if you have the right tools, It is hard to drill ceramic without cracking it, use a carbide bit designed for masonary work and be carefull. I use some plastic, terra cotta, and some glazed ceramic pots, the key is to judge the moisture in the medium and resist the tendency to overwater. Learned this the hard way as well (orchids are jungle plants and supposed to be soaking wet all the time - right???)

[Ross]

I use mostly net pots or slotted clear pots. I also suggest the plants in the fancy pots are rotting in overwet medium. It's now a catch-22: Oncidiums and relatives don't very often grow new roots from old backbulbs. They grow from new grows. But you say there are no new growths? So where will replacement roots come from?

[Becca]

Here is my question....You mentioned your neighbor uses glazed ceramic pots...could the ceramic glazing prevent the terracotta pots from breathing as a regular one would (hope that made sense), thus causing the medium to stay to wet? My other guess would be over watering as Ross suggested? Perhaps slotted would help her out a tad?

[JennS]

Two more good points. Good catch by Ross and Becca. I think the glaze would definitely cut down on the ability of the clay to breathe as regular clay pots do. I also missed the part about no new growths...

So, the best way to assess the situation is to check out those roots and repot!

[jkofferdahl]

Originally Posted by JennS

Two more good points. Good catch by Ross and Becca. I think the glaze would definitely cut down on the ability of the clay to breathe as regular clay pots do. I also missed the part about no new growths...

So, the best way to assess the situation is to check out those roots and repot!

The glaze absolutely will keep the terra cotta from breathing. In fact, it will stop it altogether. The glaze is water-tight. Likely these will cause water retention at least as severe as a plastic pot.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by jkofferdahl

Likely these will cause water retention at least as severe as a plastic pot.

Only thing about plastic, is, if it's clear, one can check on state of the mix

[betwixtimes]

Depending on the height, I have had some pots within pots---so that my orchids do not sit in water. This way you can get the 'best of both worlds' but it depends on the size.