which one is better:clay or baskets?

[nlm2951]

Most of my catts. are in cedar baskets, some are in clay pots., but I noticed that since I use as potting mix lava rocks,charcoal and leca the ones in the baskets are very dry, I have a GH, now I'm sorry that I changed some of the catts. to the baskets, some comments pls.

[blackvine]

Both clay pots and baskets will promote drying: clay, because it absorbs moisture; baskets because they introduce a lot of air into the medium. I am not familiar with leca, but both lava rock and charcoal are "dry" mixes. Depending on environment and watering habits, this can be very good because Catts need to dry between waterings. I think the baskets will promote a bit more dryness that clay, though. GH is good - provides the humidity they need!

[Fairorchids]

If you don't mind watering a bit more often, that mix would be fine.

I use a bark/charcoal/perlite mix in clay pots for my Cattleyas. For Paphs I use a similar mix in plastic pots for 4" & up, but spaghnum/bark/charcoal mix for 3" & smaller.

[blackvine]

Since I grow indoors with only a humidifier, and prefer to water only twice a week (one main watering for most on Saturday; a Wednesday watering for those that need it), I grow in CHC for my Catts and CHC or bark PLUS sphag for my Phals. It really has been working for me. Great roots! The other thing I totally insist on now is clear pots. I really need to see those pot roots to see how it's doing.

[nlm2951]

My location is Miami,I do like the baskets, now I'm going to water 3 times per week, to see if they respond better, I forgot to mentioned that I have a fan in the GH, every day from 8-5, they dry so fast, that's why some growers from here told me I need to water more, thanks very much for your comments.

[tucker85]

Since you grow your orchids in a green house, it doesn’t matter if you use pots or baskets. You just need to water the cattleyas in baskets a little more often. I prefer baskets because I grow my orchids on a screened patio where they’re exposed to the rain. Here in South Florida it can rain almost every day during the summer. With open baskets I don’t need to worry about root rot. Baskets look nice, they can be hung up or placed on a bench, they won’t fall over like pots, there’s almost no chance of root rot. On the other hand the orchids in baskets need to be watered more often, the basket will eventually rot in five or six years and it’s almost impossible to remove an orchid from a basket after it’s established in it. You may just want to keep some orchids in baskets and some in pots for a while and see which way they do best in your environment and with your culture habits.

[Orquiadicto]

Tucker, that's a nice Cattleya you have here.

[nlm2951]

Thanks Tucker,I was thinking about that to see the differents,also some are in large baskets, because they are big catts. like I said before,they tell me: water, water. Are you coming down to the Tamiami show? I will be there Sat. morning, got to help my club.

[tucker85]

Originally Posted by nlm2951

Thanks Tucker,I was thinking about that to see the differents,also some are in large baskets, because they are big catts. like I said before they tell water, water. Are you coming down to the Tamiami show? I will be there Sat. morning, got to help my club.

I'm not sure if I'll make the Tamiami show. I belong to the Ft. Lauderdale Orchid Society and our annual show is this weekend. If I can't find everything I want at our show then I'll drive down for the Tamiami show.

---------- Post added at 12:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:20 PM ----------

One other question. Do you use a root stimulator on your orchids in baskets? Maxicrop Liquid Seaweed once or twice a month will produce lots of roots and the more roots you have, the more water the plants can absorb.

[jeremyinsf]

Beautiful plant, Tucker!