Decorative Orchid Containers

[denvervet]

Hi, I am re-inventing my condo in Denver in hopes of maybe putting it on the market. I was wondering is orchid growers could share pictures of their decorative containers that they use to display orchids. I have some large ones and some keiki's as far as pot size. I am hoping to get some creative ideas, the condo is contemporary to modern. Thanks folks!

[Laserbeak]

I have some decorative Cymbidium pots. They are unglazed clay with Chinese writing and drawings on them. I got them from eBay, sometimes under Bonsai pots. Don't forget wooden baskets either, they are decorative and unusual, especially the octagonal ones.

You are not supposed to directly plant an orchid into a glazed pot since the glazing may contain heavy metals and other bad things for your plants. You can use such pots if you use a clear plastic pot to actually grow the orchid in and just place it inside the decorative pot.

I don't do that, since I don't like growing in plastic at all and prefer the look of unglazed clay and wooden baskets.

[denvervet]

The only concern I have about "pots" is air movement around the roots. I keep air moving near most of my orchids. The baskets would work well but I need to find some that are more modern and not "country". I like country but I live in downtown Denver is a historic area and the buyers eventually will be very young professionals who don't seem to buy anything unless the place is "stark and modern".....its called not playing enough as a child and having no imagination if you ask me. LOL. I have not decided to sell yet and I am a long way from it but have to think that way. Baskets are a great idea, thank you. I have no decorating genes!

[Laserbeak]

Well, if you want to compare zip codes, I live on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The new building I see right outside my window has apartments that started at around $2.5 million, and the octagonal baskets are chic enough for here!

[denvervet]

Thats funny, I am from that area. I bought a 1600 sq. ft. co-op on 42nd bet. 10th and 11th (The Armory) in the early 80's for 120k. Probably goes for 2 mil now. The area was up and coming and disgusting and now its "Disney"....When I bought on W. 23rd bet. 6 and 7 prior to that there was nothing on w. 23, we couldn't even get delivery of food! Boy has that changed. Both places were lofts. The 42nd st one had two floors, many famous people bought in that bldg. I miss NYC and especially the food, laughter, the people. Public places are so quiet here you would think someone died. I miss my italian culture also, VERY MUCH.

[mpientka]

Hi,
Saratoga Springs, New York, here. I have large ESE exposures. I grow my 24 orchids in slotted clear plastic pots which are then put into my collection of mid-20th C American pottery (1930-1960). They are really well-made true ironstone pots. All are whitish to provide some unity.

[denvervet]

Originally Posted by mpientka

Hi,
Saratoga Springs, New York, here. I have large ESE exposures. I grow my 24 orchids in slotted clear plastic pots which are then put into my collection of mid-20th C American pottery (1930-1960). They are really well-made true ironstone pots. All are whitish to provide some unity.

Great idea. I think I will look at Goodwill and see if I can come up with anything first. Some orchids I really want the air to move around the roots and will use baskets. I don't really care for baskets though, seems "farmhousey" and I like modern to contemporary. I transplanted so many keiki's and need to give them away.

[RandomGemini]

Modern or contemporary looks for flower pots, means getting some flower pots that are either, black, or white with as little embellishment on the pot as possible.

I also think you could place traditional, terra cotta flower pots in a window ledge in a contemporary style apartment and have it look like it totally belongs there.

[denvervet]

Originally Posted by RandomGemini

Modern or contemporary looks for flower pots, means getting some flower pots that are either, black, or white with as little embellishment on the pot as possible.

I also think you could place traditional, terra cotta flower pots in a window ledge in a contemporary style apartment and have it look like it totally belongs there.

I agree. I don't have any pots on window sills as the sun here is more direct being a mile high and they don't do well there. I wish I could. I have multi shelf plant wrought iron plant stand in front of an easterly window, the phals and brassia like it in the kitchen where they are under a 6ft x 4 ft skylight and get bright lite all day. I need to get something like a Cattlea for my living room windows which are north westerly.

[RandomGemini]

Cattleyas love to grow in slotted terra cotta pots.

---------- Post added at 11:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:10 AM ----------

You know... I just remembered, there's something that I did that might suit you.

My decorating style is very eclectic. My house is open concept contemporary and I have a lot of traditional touches all over the place... no shabby chic, no country, I don't do that, but I like color and I've injected shots of it all over the house.

My orchids in my office are all in pots that "sort of" match. I purchased glazed ceramic pots to put my plants in that all have the same shade of red in them. The pots are all different shapes and sizes, one of them is a green/brown/black and red stripe. The thing that pulls them all together is that one color found on every pot.

Something else you can do too, that would be cute, if you have smaller plants, is coffee mugs. I used a tea cup for one of my mini phals. There's a guy on etsy that makes coffee mugs that have funny looking faces on them and I believe he custom makes flower pots as well.

You can really get creative in a contemporary house because you have such a clean slate that it allows you to really play up your personality.