plastic versus clay pot.

[puffy]

Hello,

I,m new to orchids, and it did not take me long to have an orchid fever.I went to an orchid nursery just this weekend and the grower had mentioned how the clay pot absorb minerals from the water that eventually burn roots in the long run.If so, is there any thing that can be done to clean out the pot from the minerals they absorbed?

thank you.

puffy

[unhappykat]

I have never had a problem with mineral buildup in clay pots, I guess if you have really hard water you might have a problem, but then all thet would be needed is to flush the pots with a large amount of water for several minutes to reduce the total amount of salt. if possible I would use distilled or reverse osmosis, hope I spelled it right, water to remove a large build up. Also to help prevent build up dont fertilize too heavily instead just use light applications over a longer period to allow the plants a steady supply as compared to a sudden abundance followed by a total lack of, this will keep slat build up to a minimum because there is only a small amount constantly being replaced at each watering.

[puffy]

thank you for your reply.Phew!

At least i can continue to use my clay pot for now.i was a little worried because i just repotted few cattleyas in clay pots.

[jkhom]

For what's it's worth, I always use clay pots. For me they breath better than plastic, I find them especially good for someone who has a heavy hand watering like me! When I have a regular clay pot, I drill holes in it for better air circulation. I also like the weight because I keep my orchids outside in the summer. I've never had a problem with mineral build-up.

[BikerDoc5968]

I started out growing in clay orchid pots...the ones with the slits on the side and never really had a problem with minerals...you do get some white build-up but a good washing helps. and if it gets too much of a problem...just transplant and use some acid soak and the pot can be recycled!!! I soak in HCl from Home Depot...it is found in the swimming pool section in gallon containers...I use about 1/2 cup in a gallon of water and after soaking for about 10 minutes, the pots look like new...then RINSE. Remember your are using a solution of Muriatic acid that is 15% HCl in the bottle...BE CAREFUL. When you dispose of the left-over acid don't put it on your cement driveway....it will etch it! I have switched over to clear/translucent plastic because they are lighter weight (growing in a GH) and I can see when they need watering....anyway if you are in the SE Michigan area, I've got lots of orchid pots I'm not using!!!!

[unhappykat]

Originally Posted by puffy

thank you for your reply.Phew!

At least i can continue to use my clay pot for now.i was a little worried because i just repotted few cattleyas in clay pots.

It is very rare to get mineral build up with clay but watch with Cattleyas, some species and their hybrids are very prone to fertilizer burn, I have one like this. I prefer to use clay for really top heavy plants like dendrobiums, cattleyas, and oncidium hybrids.

[cirillonb]

I rarely use clay pots because of buildup. Although our water is not particularly hard and I am cautious with fertilizer I get white haze on the pot after a few months. One tiny pot I used for a unintended separation during repotting of Brsdm 'Shooting Star' has turned white with thickening of the material that one can scratch it off.
I have attempted to clean these off with vinegar but after awhile, I think it is probably not worth it.
Nick

[bonsai1504]

clay dries faster but it can cause mineral buildups. you should be fine if you flush the pots with plain water for a few minutes every 4 or 5 waterings. i mostly use plastic because it is cheaper.

[puffy]

thank you all for your responses.

I agree with jkhom the plant is easy to topple down when using plastic.the reason why i choose clay in the first place.i guess when time comes for mineral build up (I hope for a long time) i will use hcl for clean up .Yes i use clay pot with slit on the side.

[Ross]

Sometimes I use slotted or net plastic pots inside clay pots just for th "ballast" they need to hold them upright.