Potting technique leading to crown rot

[Sunshine Peony]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

To help the medium dry faster, I use basket pots or pots that barely fit the roots and jam styrofoam peanuts or red lava rock in the middle and bottom. I live here in Ohio where winters are cool and grow in the home during this time...not ideal. When I put the plants and orchids outside, we can have weeks of rain...or not. Makes growing plants and orchids fun. Good luck on your orchids!

Interesting, I actually did something similar with the styrofoam in the middle of the pot after the repotting. The space has allowed it to dry properly now. As for the net pot, I had the same goal in mind by cutting slots in my plastic pots. Unfortunately, since the outside got dry so quickly, I've been spraying roots exposed between the gaps since they remain silver for days on end till the next thorough watering.

By the way, welcome to the forum! So glad to have you join!

Thanks! I was shadowing the forum for awhile before deciding to join.

Originally Posted by Bud

'books with batteries'
Sunshine, it was meant as a joke....

I took it literally without a smilie.

[WhiteRabbit]

I also use either a small overturned net or orchid pot in the center, or some styro in the root mass. I do this for most of my orchids, excepting Cym and terrestrials.

[Sunshine Peony]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

I also use either a small overturned net or orchid pot in the center, or some styro in the root mass. I do this for most of my orchids, excepting Cym and terrestrials.

I filled the space with styrofoam and larger bark pieces.

I was thinking of using an overturned pot but I couldn't find one the right size to fit.

[Leafmite]

Styrofoam peanuts are great!