more than one orchid in one pot?

[jasonmom]

OK. I'm so new. I went to Lowes yesterday and they had these packs (Better-Gro) with small Cattleya orchids in 2" pots completely covered in netting. There was 4 of them (Cattleya: Jewel box red, Spotted Novelty, cluster red, Large dark purple-new hybrid) for $3. I also bought some mix to put orchids into and orchid food. The potting mix was $0.50. I was planning to put all 4 into one pot. Is it OK to put more than one type orchid into a pot?

It's not a large pot, but they would all 4 easily fit. Also, it's a type of pot that splits into 2 pieces - the inside isn't glazed so the roots will not sit in water, but should keep up humidity. Does this sound OK?

I've been reading online sense I got home yesterday. My brain is fried. I've always loved the looks of orchids, but have always figured they were too difficult. For the price I couldn't pass these up.

[tucker85]

Personally I haven't had much luck growing more than one orchid in a pot. I don't know why but they haven't grown well for me like that. Even if they did, it would be tough to separate the roots when they get larger. Small cattleyas should be in very small pots because they like to dry out completely between waterings. Good luck.

[No-Pro-mwa]

I'm with Tucker, I would plant them in there own pots. I haven't tried to grow 2 together but I would only leave them if it was a keiki

[Leafmite]

The big thing when you are new to orchids is figuring out how to make the roots happy. Most orchids grow on rocks, trees or in loose leaf litter. Cattleyas tend to grow on trees, roots bare to the air. The medium you select in which to grow them, therefore, is not meant to deliver water to the roots but to keep the air around the roots humid. Hope this helps.
I would pot them up separately just because they are more sensitive to overwatering and will use water at different rates. Use a medium that drains quickly. For example, I use red lava rock.
Good luck!

[Optimist]

It might be a good thing to experiment with. I would not. My only real objection is:

Orchids grow. If the pot fits 4 of them now, it will only fit 2 of them in 2 years when you need to transplant them.

When you buy them on sale (or at Lowes) they are only "seedlings." Even then they could be up to 5 or 7 years old so it is a shame if they die. Right now I am preparing to buy a catt in a 10" pot. That is one catt in one pot. It could be up to 12 years old or so. I would feel awful if I mess it up.

Orchids are not small plants if you can get them growing well. Every year they have new growths, and they expand till they do not fit the pot any more. Now, I ask you, wouldn't you rather allow each of your gorgeous new seedings a way to grow to their full potential instead of cramming them in one pot?

Many odd dishes and objects can become pots. You do not need fancy pots, you can make some if it is a matter of not having accessable pots. I have drilled holes in old plastic containers. I used a sports drink bottle. Catts especially like to be mounted on boards as well.


These are plants that do not grow in a "ground" persay. They just sit on top of something and their roots hold on. In a sense, they do not really need or want pots at all. If you have a catt with L in the title, that means Lalia and lalias like to be very dry. I grow my cats (LCs and BLCs) in rocks, and I am pretty sure I could simply tie a bunch of lava rock in a net bag of some kind and put the plants in that. I have had lots of luck since moving to lava rick (also called lava cinder). I even grow phals in it if I add just a bit of organic detritus.

I guess I can step off the soap box now.

[RandomGemini]

I use jello pudding cups for my miniature phals. I cut slots in the sides and bottom of them for drainage.

[Vanda lover]

Originally Posted by Optimist

It might be a good thing to experiment with. I would not. My only real objection is:

Orchids grow. If the pot fits 4 of them now, it will only fit 2 of them in 2 years when you need to transplant them.

When you buy them on sale (or at Lowes) they are only "seedlings." Even then they could be up to 5 or 7 years old so it is a shame if they die. Right now I am preparing to buy a catt in a 10" pot. That is one catt in one pot. It could be up to 12 years old or so. I would feel awful if I mess it up.

Orchids are not small plants if you can get them growing well. Every year they have new growths, and they expand till they do not fit the pot any more. Now, I ask you, wouldn't you rather allow each of your gorgeous new seedings a way to grow to their full potential instead of cramming them in one pot?

Many odd dishes and objects can become pots. You do not need fancy pots, you can make some if it is a matter of not having accessable pots. I have drilled holes in old plastic containers. I used a sports drink bottle. Catts especially like to be mounted on boards as well.


These are plants that do not grow in a "ground" persay. They just sit on top of something and their roots hold on. In a sense, they do not really need or want pots at all. If you have a catt with L in the title, that means Lalia and lalias like to be very dry. I grow my cats (LCs and BLCs) in rocks, and I am pretty sure I could simply tie a bunch of lava rock in a net bag of some kind and put the plants in that. I have had lots of luck since moving to lava rick (also called lava cinder). I even grow phals in it if I add just a bit of organic detritus.

I guess I can step off the soap box now.

If you grow in lava rock do you have to water every day?

[kindrag23]

Mine isnin lava rock and is doing great with evry 2 days. But mine are in a cooler climate right now and under heat lamps. And I have 3 new growths coming in and fat happy canes.

[Vanda lover]

I have 2 of them in s/h in lava rock. They like it.

[james mickelso]

Wellllll........I would plant them all together in one pot just for the large size and numerous blooms in about two years. I would pot them up in a shallow pot with plant clips to keep them upright. Probably a gallon pot would be good. Media about 6 inches deep. There is no reason not to pot them together. They will grow just fine given good cattleya culture. Four blooms in one pot is better than one bloom in four pots. I plant different catts on rescue boards all the time. Looks really cool when they bloom. Break with tradition. Experiment. Have fun.