clay or plastic?

[snowflake311]

I am going to repot my "sweet baby" in a few months well as soon as the blooms start to drop.

It's a big plant 7 mature bulbs in a 5" pot. Roots are every where coming out all holes. I don't want to divide it I like the idea of a big orchid. But I don't know if I should do clay or plastic. My phals are in clay they dry out very well but not too much because of the moss. I was thinking doing this for my sweet baby. But I know they don't like to dry out too much and being in a dry climate I think plastic would be good.

I am really torn over that kind of pot to use. I think a mix of mostly moss in a clay pot might be good. I don't know. My phals are really happy in the clay pot with moss.

[lotis146]

I repotted my Heaven Scent 'Redolence' this summer from plastic to clay after discovering its roots were very rotted. It had a spike growing when I did so. I can't say whether it was the repotting but it's more likely it was a combination of that and it being outside that caused the spike (the 5th) to grow longer and with more flowers than the 3rd & 4th.

I also received Bratonia Shelob this summer in plastic drop potted in clay that I repotted into the clay alone. It's doing really well; two spikes blooming when I got it in June, one new growth that is now in bud. Oh and the two pbulbs that came in bloom now have a new growth each that are at least 4-5" tall.

I'm leaning more towards using clay in the future.

[Leafmite]

I liked the clay pots much better than the plastic pots for my Oncidiums. Much happier roots. The main reason I no longer use the clay pots is because they were too heavy for the plastic shelves I use outside. (I now use basket pots.)

[tucker85]

A clay pot will provide the weight needed to keep a large orchid upright with less chance of falling over.

[terracotta7]

I like clay for oncidiums, too. I have never had a root rotting problem and the added weight is great for the big plants.

[snowflake311]

I am thinking clay is the way to go for me . I was not even thinking of the added weight . That would help them falling over and this is a good size plant.

Thanks guys. I am going to go with clay thanks.

[WhiteRabbit]

I pot Oncidiums in plastic pots, chc mix - also dry here, so I like the better moisture retention ...

[RJSquirrel]

clay or plastic reminds me of the age old question Ginger Or Mary Ann?

you get most of your plants in plastic bec its cheap. clay is heavy to ship so you dont usually get plants in clay.

I prefer clay over plastic but I do use the plastic pots inside the clay pots on occasion.

for the few oncidium types I have they are in moss and clay.

they live in a greenhouse and dont have any light, humidity, or watering troubles either so the moss and clay work. Its easier to over-water your plants in plastic bec the clay picks off a lot of the excess that stays around the roots in plastic.

[snowflake311]

I planted it in a clay with a fine bark mix with moss and some perlite. I am just going to have to water it a bit more I think no big deal.