bonsai pots for orchids

[Leafmite]

There are some orchids that do look attractive out of bloom. Angraecum magdalenae and vanda (neofinetia) falcata are nice as foliage plants when out of bloom. Some of the compact miniature orchids are nice, too. I agree, though, most don't pass as attractive house plants. :|

[catherinecarney]

I think that orchids have two undeserved reputations: first for being difficult to grow, and second for being ugly except when in bloom. While they are different from most houseplants, I am finding they are not difficult once you understand the concept of humidity and airflow that their roots need. And I think that a lot of the "ugly" idea comes because we are fixated on the blooms and tend to sacrifice style for utility in our potting choices....

While we grow most orchids (with the exception of the jewel orchids) for their flowers, I think that we often overlook their ability to be attractive foliage plants when out of bloom. People ooh and ahh over the flowers, but then bypass becoming orchid growers because "it's only in bloom for part of the year." People look at magnolias and spring bulbs in the same way, complaining that they don't want to devote garden space to plants that are only in bloom for a couple of weeks and completely ignoring the impact that the foliage/branches/etc have during the rest of the year. Once people get past the "it has to have flowers to look good" mindset they tend to embrace things like magnolias for the structural interest they add to the garden year round.

I think that orchids are the same way....Granted there are some that are pretty gangly when out of bloom like some of the dens and larger catts, but I think if we pot our orchids attractively and look at their structural impact rather than focusing on just the flowers we will find that they really are reasonable plants to have in our living spaces whether in bloom or not. The strap like foliage of a well grown onc, for example, is at least as attractive as that of a ponytail palm, and I find that I prefer the looks of my Den. kingianum to the "lucky bamboo" plants that are for sale everywhere (and I think the kingianum is an easier plant for me)....

Catherine

[flexdc]

@Catherine
Well said! Just look at how the Chinese and Japanese grow their Cymbidiums and Neofinetias. They are mostly grown for their graceful forms and attractive foliage. Much attention is also devoted to artful pots too, which can cost thousands of dollars!
My opinion is bias because I am such an addict, but one of my favourite parts of an orchids is the roots. They tell us that the orchids are alive and trying to search for moisture and nutrients!
Andrew

[catherinecarney]

@Andrew--Thanks! My mom is a hard core gardener (along the lines of English and European gardens with lots of bulbs, perennials, trees and shrubs) with almost 3 acres of gardens that she's put in (my dad has a little corner for his vegetables, and she keeps trying to encroach on that). She's the one who taught me to look at the value of plants in the landscape when they're out of bloom.

It seems like American gardeners, at least here in the Midwest, often focus on the flashy and immediate gratification of annuals. I really have had people tell me they don't want to grow perennials because they only bloom for a few weeks. IMO this completely ignores the impact that foliage and branching structures have in the landscape, not to mention that once perennials are established they're a lot less work than annuals since they're not replanted every year.

If we pot our orchids attractively (where possible, I know it won't necessarily work for all) and appreciate them for their structural interest (leaves, canes, roots) I would think it would increase our enjoyment of these interesting (and aggravating at times) plants. And isn't enjoyment what this hobby is all about?

Catherine

[Orchidflowerchild]

When it comes to "can you grow orchids in X pot?" questions, I am tempted to remind people that orchids are incredibly adaptable in that they allow us the convenience of pots at all. They, after all, grow on trees.

Nothing could be farther from the natural state of epiphytic orchids than to have their roots in a closed container. So all pots are a compromise to our needs, not the orchid's. As long as the roots can receive adequate moisture and drying time, and the vessel itself is not toxic in anyway, the answer is always yes.

-Ceci

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by catherinecarney

I think that orchids have two undeserved reputations: first for being difficult to grow, and second for being ugly except when in bloom. While they are different from most houseplants, I am finding they are not difficult once you understand the concept of humidity and airflow that their roots need. And I think that a lot of the "ugly" idea comes because we are fixated on the blooms and tend to sacrifice style for utility in our potting choices....

While we grow most orchids (with the exception of the jewel orchids) for their flowers, I think that we often overlook their ability to be attractive foliage plants when out of bloom. People ooh and ahh over the flowers, but then bypass becoming orchid growers because "it's only in bloom for part of the year." People look at magnolias and spring bulbs in the same way, complaining that they don't want to devote garden space to plants that are only in bloom for a couple of weeks and completely ignoring the impact that the foliage/branches/etc have during the rest of the year. Once people get past the "it has to have flowers to look good" mindset they tend to embrace things like magnolias for the structural interest they add to the garden year round.

I think that orchids are the same way....Granted there are some that are pretty gangly when out of bloom like some of the dens and larger catts, but I think if we pot our orchids attractively and look at their structural impact rather than focusing on just the flowers we will find that they really are reasonable plants to have in our living spaces whether in bloom or not. The strap like foliage of a well grown onc, for example, is at least as attractive as that of a ponytail palm, and I find that I prefer the looks of my Den. kingianum to the "lucky bamboo" plants that are for sale everywhere (and I think the kingianum is an easier plant for me)....

Catherine

Originally Posted by catherinecarney

It seems like American gardeners, at least here in the Midwest, often focus on the flashy and immediate gratification of annuals. I really have had people tell me they don't want to grow perennials because they only bloom for a few weeks. IMO this completely ignores the impact that foliage and branching structures have in the landscape, not to mention that once perennials are established they're a lot less work than annuals since they're not replanted every year.

If we pot our orchids attractively (where possible, I know it won't necessarily work for all) and appreciate them for their structural interest (leaves, canes, roots) I would think it would increase our enjoyment of these interesting (and aggravating at times) plants. And isn't enjoyment what this hobby is all about?

Catherine

Catherine, have you tried Neofinetia falcata yet (now a.k.a. Vanda falcata)? You sound like a potential new recruit to the wonderful world of fukiran.

Vanda Alliance - Neofinetia - Orchid Board - Most Complete Orchid Forum on the web !

Originally Posted by Jayfar

With Neofinetia, flowers are just icing on the cake. That's one of the things that first intrigued me before I started my collection. At Satomi's presentation at SEPOS, when she explained that the big annual judging event in Japan takes place at a time when the Neos are mostly not yet in bloom, a light went on in my head. With my Phal growing space often appearing as a near unbroken sea of green (although, thankfully, a bunch are in bloom now), I figured I should go with the flow and focus on a genus where it's the foliage (and root tips, tsuke, etc.) that matters above all else.

[catherinecarney]

Jayfar--Yes, I've been looking at Neofinetia falcata and will probably end up joining the ranks of fukiran obsessed sometime in the near future....I have this perfect attached garage which never drops below freezing in the winter in which to give them the cool fall/winter rest it seems like they need....

Ceci--I agree on pots, and that's one of the reasons I was looking at the wider bonsai pots with interest. Almost all of the pix I"ve seen of orchids growing in the wild show them with these wild, sprawling, wandering masses of roots, so it made sense to me that they would be happier with more room for their roots to roam when in pots. Even better would be to grow them all mounted which would come closer to the free roaming aspect of their natural growth but I don't have conditions in the house to be able to provide decent growing conditions for more than a few mounts. Sigh....

I think the best thing about threads like this is the willingness of people to share their growing experience with others. I know that I'm going to ask dumb questions (hey, that comes with being a newbie), I know that what works for me won't necessarily work for the next person, but the fact that the information (how I kept it, grew it, bloomed it, etc) is here on the board makes things so much easier for us all.

Catherine

[Orchidflowerchild]

I melt holes in sturdy plastic takeout containers from local delivery places. I find the low, wider types work very nicely for sprawly things like bulbos or some of the cattleya types that like to flop about.

Pots are just a concession. Anything that fits what you can provide is all an orchid needs. Which is actually awesome, because it makes growing orchids incredibly peronalizable.

-Ceci

---------- Post added at 02:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:02 PM ----------

in fact you could probably call me the queen o repurposed pots. I have a Phal. pulcherrima in a repurposed shade from a broken lamp, even. It's frosted glass, so it gives it the weight it needs to keep from being tippy when in bloom, plus it is attractive and you can see all the roots when you water it and the glass goes clear.

-Ceci