root

[VickiC]

I feel your pain, Joe. Seriously, I know what you mean. Pots are so "iffy" cuz you never know where the roots are gonna decide to go. Inside? Outside? Both? ....geez....then before you know it, they sometimes have gotten outta hand (like I was afraid this one/these might do). Same as you, I'm glad they're happy, though. Before I asked my question to all of you, I thought about mounting....but I'm sorta afraid to. I have about 10 or so mounts (all but 1 on cork), and they're doing very good, but on some, I've watched several healthy roots die before new ones took over. I would just hate to see these healthy little things do that, too. Anyway, I'm still not 100% sure what I'm gonna do. Like I've said....."you live, you learn". Even though I've been growing orchids a very short time, I've already had to experience some things to find out that I'm not gonna do them again. I'm guessing that somewhere along the line, you've "been there, done that", too. ?? By the way, I thought you said awhile back that you don't have Catts, but I must have misunderstood. ?? I'm sure you're a "Miami-Vanda" guy, though!

Thanks for replying,
Vicki

Originally Posted by Swamper

Pots are so frustrating to me for many reasons but specially for this reason do I love mounts. I got a bunch of small catts at an orchid show for a really ridiculous price and soon repotted them into bigger clay pots and now they have roots growing out like your Vicky and some have grabbed on tight to the bench. I'm glad they are happy but at the same time I am thinking...this can't be good. I also have some others hanging from clips and they have wrapped around the pot AND the clips

[VickiC]

Hi again Carol,
I've seen pictures of those little clips, but one wouldn't work for me in this case cuz of the type of greenhouse I have (a kit gh)....I don't have anywhere to attach the clip to.....no wood wall (etc.). Thanks for the idea, though and, of course, your reply!
Vicki

Originally Posted by CTB

Hi both of your pics are pot hangers and probably will work out fine, I was thinking about a 2in, little metal clip that clips to side of pot and then you hang it on a nail. Some are made of plastic too. The top has two holes to hang it by. Kind of works more lke a paperclip. Don't have any handy to show. your 1st pic would do less damage than the circle hanger.

[VickiC]

Oh, I like this concept. I've never seen them before. As I told Carol, a clip (of any kind) wouldn't work this time, but I have places they would work fine.....the back porch, for example.
Vicki

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

Oh! do you mean like these?

How It Works . Hang-A-Pot: The Hidden Hanger . Hang flowers and plants anywhere!

[Swamper]

You're right Vicky I didn't have (many)catts before maybe a handful that were given to me. But I got these dirt cheap when they were tiny seedlings. I figured why not and if they don't make it no big loss. But they have grown a lot. I now realize that I have a lot more catts than I thought. Still less than 50 LOL Is that a lot for ssomeone with no catts?

[britbloke]

Vicky, I like the pot hanger in your first picture best, especially with the number of roots you have outside the pot. If you're worried about those roots drying out, mist them whenever you water your mounts?
Is it possible to string a wire in your greenhouse to hang from?
Tony

[VickiC]

Hi Tony,
I like the hanger in the first picture, too (as opposed to the other one, that is). I'm not really worried about the roots drying out because I have chances all during the day to mist them and soak them occasionally (I'm retired). Actually I was most concerned that a pot hanger of any type that I'm familiar with would damage the roots, or worse, kill them. The clay pot is small, but I think maybe I can figure out a way to work it out so that the hanger doesn't do damage (I hope). The only challenge I'm guessing that I might have will be not to damage the roots inside the pot....they're growing round and round....and round.

Sometime I'll take a pic of the way I've got my mounts hanging now but stringing a wire would be good. I like that idea. I'll put my thinking cap on and try to figure out how to do it.

Thanks for your reply!
Vicki

Originally Posted by britbloke

Vicky, I like the pot hanger in your first picture best, especially with the number of roots you have outside the pot. If you're worried about those roots drying out, mist them whenever you water your mounts?
Is it possible to string a wire in your greenhouse to hang from?
Tony

[britbloke]

Vicki, I now grow on my lanai and didn't want to start drilling holes through the construction. So, I strung a wire between bolts (if necessary, I replaced screws with bolts or inserted longer bolts, so I could wrap the wire around the blot head).
I thought you had wonderful root growth (I often think, I spend my time growing orchid roots, rather than orchid flowers). To install the pot clip, I'd soak the appropriate root that's in the way and ease a blunt knife between root and pot to make room for the clip. Your plant looks like a Cattleya and there is no doubt it will grow over the edge of the pot. I'd soak the pot for several hours and take a blunt knife and ease each root off the clay pot (both inside and out) until the plant pulls free...

If you know what I mean, you have a wonderful problem, this is what's supposed to happen...

Clay may be a challenge but it does seem to encourage magnificent root growth...

Tony