what the best containers for phal?

[buffalo]

Wondering if you could design a phal container how would you design it? Would it be wide and shallow,with holes in it . Would it be like our normal phal pots which tend to be deep and airy? I would like to try a more wide and shallow pot to see if the phals prefer it.

[jkofferdahl]

I think that a lot depends on the given growing conditions. For some, the best container is no container - they do great mounted! For others, a container no deeper than it is wide works well - and I seem to fall into this category.

[Ben Belton]

I have great luck with Aircone pots, and I couldn't imagine what I would do different. However, jkofferdahl is right, people I know with stuff mounted can outgrow anyway.

[mehitabel]

My guess is your phals would love the wide and shallow. If you try it, please report back with the results. I'd really like to know.

Bob Gordon, in his little book, *Culture of the Phalaenopsis Orchid* recommends pots no deeper than 5". That would mean an "azalea pot". He cuts the roots off at 5" to make them fit the shallower pot.

His reason is that the deeper pots hold too much empty medium in the center of the pot.

He also burns extra holes in the bottom of the pot with a sauldering iron for better root aeration.

In my own experience, I've grown to like clear plastic pots. The roots grow against the sides and you can *see* them. I also have come to favor air cone pots. They are the ones with a raised center cone to keep the middle of the pot aerated.

Following Gordon, I burn extra holes in the bottom of the air cones. Since burning the extra holes I have been getting wonderful root growth. So I can definitely recommend that.