roots clinging to clay pot - Orchid Board

fredr · #1 04-09-2008, 09:55 PM

Hi,
I read somewhere that phals will not cling to plastic pots. Don't know if that is true or not but I'd like to repot mine from clay to plastic as their roots do climb all over the clay pots. I also read (whereever) that one should soak the pot in water to soften to roots to get them lose. My question, how long should I soak them? By soaking I guess it was meant to sink the pot into water from some length of time. How long?

Fred
PS I'm putting white packing peanuts into the bottom to asure drainage and will then add a phal bark mix as new medium. I'm sure my old lava rock is saturated with salt.

quiltergal · #2 04-10-2008, 12:12 AM

I'd soak it at least 30 minutes in lukewarm water. That should give the roots enough time to limber up and allow you to pry them off the pot without breaking them.

fredr · #3 04-10-2008, 01:03 AM

Ok, thanks Terri

fredr · #4 04-11-2008, 12:05 AM

That 1/2 hour soak worked like a charm.
fred

quiltergal · #5 04-11-2008, 01:15 AM

Great news! You'll like plastic much better. I love clear plastic pots. You always know what's going on inside.

fredr · #6 04-11-2008, 10:08 AM

Just after I had used two green plastics, the UPS man arrived with a shipment of clear ones. I'll let it go this time as I don't want to repot the repotted but there will be more clear repots in my future. The smaller clear pots have slots on the sides too, the big ones don't have that. Is that normal? Mine came from Rays orchids in PA somewhere. I think I clicked on an ad here on this board. Also got KLM, Neem oil and a whole bunch of other stuff.

Fred

Lorraine · #7 04-11-2008, 10:34 AM

Hi Fred,

I love using the clear plastic pots for phals. I wouldn't worry too much about moving the one that you put into the green pot. I just repotted a fully blooming with 2 spikes last week from moss to my phal mix of coconut coir, hydroton and charcoal chips with a little spag. It doesn't seem to mind at all. The plastic keeps the moisture in. Watered about every 7 days for the larger pots sooner for smaller ones. My pots do not have slits on the sides. I just keep the mix loose in the pot. Yea, I do lose coir when I water but my guys love it.

Lorraine