Which type of pot is better?

[greenpassion]

I have several phals under tracklighting. They origionaly came in clear plastic pots, but when it came time to repot them, I put them in the ceramic ones with the designs (openings) in the sides. Is is better to pot them in the plastic ones and put those inside the ceramic pots so they look more attractive?

[Kelo]

Personally, I would pot them into the clear plastic pots then, if they are blooming, you can put those into decorative pots. Phal roots like light too. Ultimately it's arguable whether they will do better in clear plastic or ceramics.

[fishmommy]

I prefer to use clear plastic so that I can monitor the conditions of the media and moisture level.

clay can be perfectly fine but an over-waterer like me needs all the help I can get

[glengary54]

Originally Posted by greenpassion

I have several phals under tracklighting. They origionaly came in clear plastic pots, but when it came time to repot them, I put them in the ceramic ones with the designs (openings) in the sides. Is is better to pot them in the plastic ones and put those inside the ceramic pots so they look more attractive?

The big drawback I can see with using the cut out ceramic pots is when it is time to repot, you will wind up doing alot of damage to the roots that have grown thru the hole and adhered to the outside of the pot. Just my

[tucker85]

I think clear plastic pots are more practical. I like to feel the weight of the pot to know if it's dry or wet. The ceramic pots are too heavy to be able to detect a difference. I can also see the roots and the medium to see how wet it is or how well it's growing. It's possible to grow very nice phals in ceramic pots but I think plastic pots make it easier.

[sii]

Originally Posted by glengary54

The big drawback I can see with using the cut out ceramic pots is when it is time to repot, you will wind up doing alot of damage to the roots that have grown thru the hole and adhered to the outside of the pot. Just my

Tell me about it! Actually I had problems growing my phals in plastic. Wouldn't see much progress, so I switched to the slotted clay and things worked out better. But those roots - they cling to the sides of the pot. I occassionally try to move the roots before they are REALLY stuck on. I haven't been monitoring lately and now I see lots of roots on the side of the pot. Don't have to repot any time soon, but I don't know how things will look when I do.

[WhiteRabbit]

I've used plastic, clay, ceramic orchid pots - agree with the statements that it can be difficult to get orchids out of clay pots, didn't have too much trouble with ceramic orchid pots, but humidity can be quite low here in summer, and so I don't get tons of roots growing out of the holes ...

[RJSquirrel]

Which type of pot is better? Okey Im going to leave that one alone.

The best pot is the one your plants grow in

How do you have trouble getting an orchid out of a clay pot that the roots have stuck too? Its easy. You soak it, then break it. Smack it on the counter and its out. Ill show you tomorrow how thats done I have some catts to crack out of clay and I want to show you how freekin awesome the roots are STUCK to the clay pot. I dont get all the root action in plastic.

Plastic and Bark or Clay and Moss..Bark doesnt do well for me in clay and Moss doesnt do well for me in plastic. You will find your own zone and what works best for the plants in your own situation.

So for plants that I still use moss on they get clay..The plants I use granite chips in they get clay. I cant stand plastic and never could.

[RosieC]

It does all depend on your conditions as indicated by RJ. I prefer clear plastic for Phals in my conditions, mainly because I can see what's going on. But I know some people find it just doesn't work for them and they prefer the clay