"Cool Pots" from the Orchid Gallery - Orchid Board

Paul Mc · #1 03-08-2011, 08:52 AM

Has anyone used these or know anything about them. I have wanted to try Masdevillia's for some time now but have been concerned about the cooler temps and higher humidity that they need. Would these pots solve that issue really?

I believe the Orchid Gallery has their own website, but you can search for them on Amazon.com (US website).

If you think they would work, then I might just switch my three current cooler growing/higher humidity plants to these and get more pots for masdie's!

I grow phal's, phaius', calanthe's, dendro's and oncidiums with a lot of success just as a reference point for my humidity satisfaction level. I also have a new zygo and bulbo that have an incredible amount of growth, but I have yet to see if I can flower them. A meter says that my lows are in the upper 30's to lower 40's and high's can be towards 50's and/or 60's during the winter.

Paul Mc · #2 03-08-2011, 09:00 AM

Sorry, let me restate the highs for my humidity. It appears to be in the 60's and 70's. The highest recorded is 78%RH

grasshopper · #3 03-08-2011, 10:51 AM

I tried one last summer with a Miltoniopsis, but after a few months the Milt. died. I think it was more from grower abuse/error than the pot. I have a Nelly Isler planted in it now and it seems to be quite happy. Of course, it's been cooler (winter) so we'll see how it goes when the temps start to rise this spring and summer. I grow the Nelly Isler indoors, but my growing room still hits 85 F, which may ultimately have been the demise of the Milt. Even with the cool pot, I think it still got too hot for its liking.

Good luck!

Paul Mc · #4 03-09-2011, 08:07 AM

Very interesting. Yeah, I just wasn't convinced - even with the heat imaging it didn't look like it really cooled that much (maybe by 5 or so degrees at the most).

I've always wanted to try masdie's, but since I know they are cool growers and like a lot of humidity, I'm just not sure I can do it. I have 3 mini's that are also cool growers requiring high humidity at the moment. I guess they will be my true test and I should refrain from buying "gimmicky" pots.

Anyone else have any experience with the cool pots?

RosieC · #5 03-09-2011, 08:12 AM

I've heard of people using them before and there are other things you can do to give similar results.

They are meant to be good for the really cool growing Masdies/Dracula.

I don't use them, but I use the principle. I have simple porus clay pot and the evaporation from that cools things down (it's actually difficult to get porus clay pots near me, even pots that look like they should be are 'frost resistant' and that feature actually stops them being porus).

There was a thread somewhere that Ray showed how you could increase cooling even further with double pots and lecca in between. I'll have to see if I can look it out because I think that discussion had mention of the ones actually sold as 'Cool Pots'.

RosieC · #6 03-09-2011, 08:14 AM

I was right, it's actually another discussion on "Cool Pots".

This link shows Ray's idea.
"Cool pots"

Paul Mc · #7 03-09-2011, 08:24 AM

Oh WOW! You are the greatest! Thank you Rosie.

Becca · #8 03-09-2011, 08:59 AM

I bought some to use with my Masdie's but even the smallest sized pot is still to large for my largest one. I bought a three pack and I am currently only using one for a Dracula. Not sure if it has really helped it or not, I don't think the Dracula likes my growing conditions or something I am doing to it anyways. Sorry I'm not much help! I would recommend starting off with just one pot if you are going to try them.

Paul Mc · #9 03-09-2011, 09:08 AM

Another question about them. Do they have condensation on the outside of the pots? I'm concerned about using them on my wood window ledges.

I think I might give one a go and see what happens.

grasshopper · #10 03-09-2011, 09:42 AM

I was looking for that post yesterday Rosie, but had computer issues and had to shut down. At that point, I never got back up and running on my search. I knew I had asked about the cool pots in a previous post and I remember Ray having some great advice. Thanks for finding it and sharing it with everyone!