clay pot vs plastic pot?

[neophyte]

hi, i keep reading that orchids don't like cold roots, and i'm wondering whether the evaporative heat loss in clay pots would chill the roots of my orchids too much. all of my terracotta clay pots are much cooler than the surrounding air temperature and i'm worried that this could retard plant growth. if this is so, would plastic pots be better (since evaporation only happens at the top rather than from all sides of the pot)?

[aliceinwl]

It depends what you’re growing and a lot of orchids like lots of aeration in the root zone (plastic slotted pots work better than pots with only bottom drainage for a lot of species) and clay breaths well. I haven’t had any issue with clay over cooling. I either use clay or plastic slotted plastic pots for most of mine.

[Ray]

If you're in the SF Bay area, your humidity is probably fairly substantial, which will reduce the evaporation rate.

[Paphluvr]

I agree with aliceinwl that it depend on the plant. Another consideration about when to use a clay pot vs plastic is that some plants tend to be top heavy (as an example, Dend. nobile vars.). The use of a clay pot prevents them from tipping over so easily and clay pots can also be found that are cylindrical, think bigger footprint.

[Subrosa]

If you keep them both outside exposed to unfiltered UV, barring an impact a clay pot will last longer than you do. Definitely not the case with most plastics.

[neophyte]

thank you!

[claypot]

I am in the UK and an Odontoglossum enthusiast. My preference is for clay pots for these plants for several reasons. Firstly, bearing in mind that these are epiphytic plants which attach to trees I cannot think of any more foreign environment than a clinically smooth plastic pot. Second they breathe, although some of the more modern pots seem to have greater density. Third, they are porous and the one thing which Odontoglossums like is cool roots so when I mist the greenhouse the pots take in moisture and as we know from our basic school science "evaporation causes cooling". Fourth they are very stable for taller plants. Fifth, slugs/snails don't like climbing them. On the downside, careful attention is needed to ensure that the drainage hole(s) remain free running and that includes positioning where the drained water can get away, ie gravel or slats bench. Care is needed at repotting because roots like the pot surface and do adhere to the pot, but soaking the pot and running a thin steel knife around the pot minimises damage.

[neophyte]

thank you claypot; your reply was very helpful

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by neophyte

if this is so, would plastic pots be better (since evaporation only happens at the top rather than from all sides of the pot)?

I used clay pots a really really long time ago. But it was too much of a hassle when roots and everything got jammed in the clay pot...... which made things difficult during repot times, so I turned to plastic ever since. Plastic is usually no problem. Nurseries use plastic pots anyway.

But at the same time, I think that if clay pots work well for anybody, then use clay pots.