HANGING CLAY POTS?
 

i want to start just making my own clay pots, with lots of holes in them. but i wanted to know if orchid roots HAD to be put in pots, or if i could make pots that just cover like the base of the plant and have holes so the roots can just hang in the air? obviously id have to hang all of these up, but would it work well for all orchids?

Well, many orchids that are commonly cultivated by hobbyists are epiphytes (grows on trees) or lithophytes (grows on rocks), so their roots actually are exposed, but clinging to the host tree or rock. Many people grow orchids mounted, some bare root in clay pots or wood baskets. These do require frequent watering and fertilizing. Vandas especially are often grown bare root or just a small amount of media in baskets, or even just on hooks with the roots hanging down. Depending on the type or species of orchid and your climate, some will do better than others this way. Usually, orchids that like to dry quickly are good candidates (Vandas, Tolumnia for example), orchids that like to grow a bit drier (Many Laelias, Cattleyas for example). Unless you are in an extremely humid climate, orchids that like to remain a bit moist would not be the best candidates.

If you give it a try, I'd love to see what you come up with!

Your biggest challenge growing orchids without the media, would be maintaining humidity. If your conditions allow high humidity, then you'll be able to grow many orchids genera this way. Otherwise I'd stick with traditional pots with bark or whatever media works best for you.

I have seen orchids grown in a bare clay pot but not all orchids will do well that way. I prefer at least a little medium. Here are some pictures of pots from Thailand that I like to use here in Florida. They have small holes for wires or string so that they can be hung up. They don't hold much medium but, so far, the orchids have done well in them.

https://picasaweb.google.com/1043303...0601/ThaiPots#

I have seen these pots sold at the orchid shows . I was also curious to see how well this will work for my Cattleyas. But at the shows,they were too expensive and quality was not very good.So I did not buy.
I think it is not too difficult to make holes,just get a drill to punch holes from Home Depot. They have various size drills available.

THOSE ARE EXACTLY WHAT I WAS I THINKING OF MAKING! with just a little medium. i live in florida so ya know, high humidity is good! so ive heard.

I have pots that are a lot like those bought from Lowe's long time ago don't think they still have them tho . I grow quite a few Catts . hanging up in clay pots to save space ..

well we have a firing kiln, clay and a throwin wheel on the property, so i was just gonna make my own. experiment with different shapes, holes, and whatnot.

I think that's a great idea. Please post pictures of the results. Have fun.

I grow my catt alliance in those clay pots with holes. I buy them from Banjong Orchids (who, by the way, now have a HUGE selection) and from RF orchids.

I grow in 100% hydroton and I am trying river rock and hydroton (see picture of my grammatophyllum I posted a few weeks ago). The plants absolutely love them.

I also grow vandas in clay pots without any medium whatsoever. They do fantastically well, but as Sonya mentioned, they require a lot of oversight.

Regarding buying clay pots and drilling holes in them: I do not recommend that. I think by doing this you are compromising the integrity of the pot.

I wish I knew how to make pots and have the ability to fire them in a kiln. I'm always wishing I had some clay mounts, but evidently, no one makes them.