Repotting Compact Catt., Sizing Up Question

[Dollythehun]

Shannon, what about ordering them? I think I am going to try that. Also try JoAnne fabrics and craft stores.

[Mountaineer370]

So it makes sense to me to put the ones planted in plastic into a decorative ceramic orchid pot, the kind with lots and lots of holes. Seems like the air flow would be adequate.

What do you think about putting the plastic pots inside a clay pot? Would that restrict air flow too much, or keep the media too wet? I was at Lowe's today and saw that they have clay orchid pots. They look like regular terra cotta pots but they have three or four oblong holes around the side. Would these be better than the clay pots that just have the one hole at the bottom?

They also had clay azalea pots, which I like because they are shallower, but unfortunately they only had one size. I'm guessing they will have more to choose from as they stock up their garden department in the coming weeks.

I may decide to put everything straight into the clay pots at some point in the future, but right now, they have all been repotted in the last few months, so I'm just thinking of temporary measures to make them a little heavier and less likely to tip, either from curious dogs, or my own clumsiness.

[estación seca]

Clay tends to work better for people who have high humidity, whose main problem is slow drying out.

Opaque plastic tends to work better for people who have low humidity, or who can't get to their collection to water that often, who have trouble keeping the medium sufficiently moist.

Clear plastic is intended both to let the grower look at the roots, and to allow the plant to photosynthesize. Putting it into a cache pot prevents light from getting in. If this isn't important to your plants it's not a problem.

Those of you in climates with low humidity will find your cacti and succulents do much better in non-porous pots, either high-fired ceramic or plastic.

[Mountaineer370]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Clay tends to work better for people who have high humidity, whose main problem is slow drying out.

Opaque plastic tends to work better for people who have low humidity, or who can't get to their collection to water that often, who have trouble keeping the medium sufficiently moist.

Clear plastic is intended both to let the grower look at the roots, and to allow the plant to photosynthesize. Putting it into a cache pot prevents light from getting in. If this isn't important to your plants it's not a problem.

Those of you in climates with low humidity will find your cacti and succulents do much better in non-porous pots, either high-fired ceramic or plastic.

This is helpful to know. My home has pretty low humidity in the winter. The furnace running really dries things out. A humidifier is not a option, for a couple different reasons. So maybe I better stick to plastic after all.

I'm glad you reminded me of the photosynthesis issue. I'm going to have to study up on which orchids do best with the roots exposed to light.

[bil]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer370

This is helpful to know. My home has pretty low humidity in the winter. The furnace running really dries things out. A humidifier is not a option, for a couple different reasons. So maybe I better stick to plastic after all.

I'm glad you reminded me of the photosynthesis issue. I'm going to have to study up on which orchids do best with the roots exposed to light.

Well, most epiphytes have white roots with green tips, and the tips like to dive into the medium asap.

Phas will green up, but I doubt the photosynthesis of the roots counts for much.