do slotted pots make a difference?

[Tim P.]

I just ordered a pot ( clear plastic 5") to repot my newly aquired phal. The pot has slits in it... i was just wondering if this would dry out the media on the outside of the pot really fast, leaving the media in the center wet? I will be using bark chips with no sphag. (i guess in a nutshell i am asking if the slots will aid in even drying out of the medium or if it will hinder it, therefore promoting root rot in the center of the pot. Also another quick question, will i need to water a lot more frequent and are slotted pots better or worse than non slotted?

THANKS AGAIN!!!

hoping all goes well with my first repotting venture!

[Paul Mc]

My 2 cents worth on this is that more air flow ability is better. Yes it will dry out the outside faster than the inside, but no more than normal plastic pots or aeration pots would. Just be sure your phal is not potted in a plastic pot that is too large. If you can just fit the roots into the pot, it's perfect, lol...

Just keep an eye on the moisture/water beads on the plastic pot. If you see nothing, then you might need to water. Of course, remember that phals need to dry out between waterings as well.

By slotted, are you referring to net pots per chance? I'm not sure I've seen a slotted pot before unless my memory/terminology is incorrect.

Generally speaking though, we want to go for more ability to let air in to the orchid roots as this is how they grow in nature.

[silken]

I use clear slotted pots for almost everything. but I am referring to small slots, not the net pots. The roots need to breath so some air holes are a good thing. If you are unsure of how wet the centre of the pot is, get a kebab skewer and insert it into the centre of the pot and leave it there. At watering time, pull it out and check to see if it is wet or dry. If it is still wet, wait until it is dry or very close to dry before watering.

[sii]

My phals love the slotted pots. Things seem to grow nicely when I use them and I've yet to have a root rot issue, but I also use a skewer.

[Bud]

I use the Oxygen Core Dual Orchid Pots. I have seen the clear slotted pots from repotme.com but its a bit pricey. But what works best is my homemade chinese take out soup clear plastic that I bore holes using an office folder hole borer and make round polka dotted holes all over the plastic container.

[RosieC]

I've not been able to get slotted pots, but I think they would be better. The more airflow you can get the better and it will aid the medium drying out all over not just on the outside. Yes the centre will dry slower than the outside, but overall it will be quicker than with out the slots. Air is good around phals roots.

[tucker85]

The phals that I have in slotted pots have done very well. I agree with Paul Mc that it's still important to use the smallest pot that you can fit the roots into. I also agree with Silken about using a skewer to check for moisture in the center. There might be a temptation to compensate for the slots by overwatering, so you want to be careful. Like Paul Mc said, you can see beads of condensation on the inside of the pot to indicate there's still moisture in it. I don't water if I can see any condensation in the pot. I like to let them dry completely before I water. I think you'll like those pots. Good luck.

[silken]

Also, if the phal roots are green they are wet, and they are silver once they are dry, so that's another gauge to aid in when to water.

[Eyebabe]

Anything I pot up that is not in S/H is in a clear slotted pot. (Although I have some plants I purchased still in their original pots of clay or green plastic...when they are repotted, they will conform )
Your media actually will dry out more evenly than in a plastic pot without slots.