Dealing with top heavy orchids

[Syrinth]

Hi everyone, I have several topheavy orchids and I'm wondering if my way of dealing with them is good or just likely to promote bacterial/fungal growth.

I put the offending plant in a much larger pot and surround it with peastone so that it can't move. In a few instances the pot doesn't have a hole at the bottom so I have to very carefully tip it over to get the water out while holding the peastone in after watering.

Is this going to damage my plants at all? Is there a better way that I'm missing?

[kindrag23]

What type of plant is it? You can also use busted up lava rock wicks up the water.adds sparingly amounts of added minerals etc..works really well and adds stability to the plant.

[Syrinth]

Well the pictured plant is a Psychopsis Papillio.

I also have a similar arrangement with my Dendrobium Spectabile and a Miniature Phalaenopsis.

[Vanda lover]

It should add some humidity. You still have the side holes in the pot exposed to the air, so it should be ok.

[orchidsarefun]

to be safe I would drill holes in the stabilising pot to ensure drainage.
Pea-stone could also be constricting ( squishing roots ) if packed too tightly against those plastic pliable pots. I use packing peanuts, loosely packed.

[Syrinth]

Oh, I hadn't even thought of packing peanuts! I was concerned about the stones crushing the orchid but packing peanuts would work very well!

Yeah, I intend to drill a hole at the bottom of the pots when I get the chance.

[kindrag23]

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

to be safe I would drill holes in the stabilising pot to ensure drainage.
Pea-stone could also be constricting ( squishing roots ) if packed too tightly against those plastic pliable pots. I use packing peanuts, loosely packed.

Interesting idea I like it!

[Vanda lover]

Packing peanuts might be too light. What about just using a couple of rocks to hold the opt in place?

[Syrinth]

These pots tend to be very small compared to the orchid, I don't know how I'd be able to put rocks to keep the pots straight.

I'd put some rocks in the bottom of the larger pot if the pot still isn't heavy enough though.

[jeremyinsf]

Looks like the inner pot is plastic. For my plants like that, I get the glazed orchid pots with bases that are water trays, that the inner pot/plant fit into snugly so it doesn't move around. I find between the weight of the ceramic pot and the additional stability of the base makes it pretty stable. Then I just remove the orchid to water it, and put it back when I'm done.