Putting holes in pots

[ArronOB]

I have a lot of repotting to do within a month - mainly cattleya and Oncidium alliance hybrids.

I like to use slotted pots - or pots with lots of holes for air flow. However I don’t have sufficient for this job and the costs here are prohibitive, so I’m considering buying a heap of basic black plastic pots and putting a stack of holes in them. Any suggestions on a quick and easy way to do this.

I’ve previously don’t this with a punch, or a soldering iron, but want something a bit quicker this time.

Cheers
Arron

[Ray]

Look for a drill bit specifically designed for plastics.

[SouthPark]

I bought three relatively inexpensive soldering irons from ebay for the purpose of putting holes in some plastic pots, and for putting holes in little plastic tid-bit containers for loading mothballs into them (for hanging in clothes cupboards - the little holes allow the mothball fumes to come out).

After poking a hole through the plastic, you just got to take a look to see if the new holes on the inside of the pot are flush with the surface (if important). Otherwise a large enough drill bit could be used for reaming ---- to remove the ridges of plastic around the hole perimeter (if important). Sort of like counter-sinking.

I bought extra irons - because some cheapies can have reliability issues --- like getting burnt out after a short time of usage. So sometimes, it might pay to get something that costs a bit more heheheh.

[fishmom]

A Dremel with a cone-shaped grinding tip works pretty well. And you can use it to burnish the inside to make it smooth, too.

[DirtyCoconuts]

melting plastic is bad news- if you do that use a fume hood, go outside and windy or wear a respirator

[oregon woodsmoke]

I use a drill bit and a battery drill.

Myself, I don't want my orchids in black pots. They tend to heat the soil and they don't allow any light to get through for the roots.

Plastic milk cartons would work. They will allow a bit of light to get through as long as you aren't using the opaque white ones. The gallon water jugs full of distilled water cost less than a dollar, so that would be a cheap planter. Cheaper than milk jugs.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by oregon woodsmoke

Myself, I don't want my orchids in black pots. They tend to heat the soil and they don't allow any light to get through for the roots.

Some plants like light to the roots, but none actually require it.

Warming of the root zone can actually be a good thing, depending upon the types of orchids you grow and your growing conditions. In addition to helping evaporate pockets of water that might otherwise become a source of root suffocation, the warmth stimulates root growth.

[estación seca]

A lot of food containers become very brittle in just a year or two if used as plant containers. They lack ultraviolet stabilizers. They may fall apart as your hand grips them.

[realoldbeachbum]

Originally Posted by ArronOB

I have a lot of repotting to do within a month - mainly cattleya and Oncidium alliance hybrids.

I like to use slotted pots - or pots with lots of holes for air flow. However I don’t have sufficient for this job and the costs here are prohibitive, so I’m considering buying a heap of basic black plastic pots and putting a stack of holes in them. Any suggestions on a quick and easy way to do this.

I’ve previously don’t this with a punch, or a soldering iron, but want something a bit quicker this time.

Cheers
Arron

I prefer clear pots over black plastic so I can see the roots!!! (I am a root-lover. ) I use a soldering iron to make holes and it works great -- yes, it does take time. Happy repotting!!

[early]

Originally Posted by fishmom

A Dremel with a cone-shaped grinding tip works pretty well. And you can use it to burnish the inside to make it smooth, too.

I am wondering if I can get a diamond bit what would work with a Dremel?

I do have a reg. size drill that is a bit heavy for me. If the Dremel won't work I will just get a smaller wand type drill.

I have resisted glass for all my LECA plants...95% of them. But I have several ball canning jars that are just the right size for a LECA pot and really want to try glass.

Any new project to ward off Covid stay at home Boredom.