Pots suitable for Catts.
 

OK, so far my catts in the small pots are doing fine, but as they grow, they will need bigger pots, and therein lies a problem.

The pots I use here are really good, as they are much closer to cylindrical than most, and aren't too tall, so there is less tipping problems, both with orchids and other plants.

My problem is that even tho they are shallower, with increasing diameter comes increasing depth, and with depth comes an increased risk of root rot. I love the teak baskets, except for the problem when it comes to repotting, of roots breaking.

Ideally, I would like to find a nice stable plastic pot with diameters of 20 to 30 cm, but which only have a depth of 10 cm or so so that the medium will dry out quickly and not hold too much moisture.

I'm in the UK, so a European source would be best, but failing all else, I'll ship them in from the US if I have to.

So, anyone with any ideas please?

I have a few suggestions. Since you favor plastic, I won't delve too much into discussinge terracotta pots (which is what I use for most Catts).

For any pot, you can use inert materials (such as styrofoam packing "peanuts") to take up much or the space in the bottom, leaving only a zone at the top of the pot (your 10 cm) for bark, etc.

I also sometimes use a net pot from a hydroponics store inserted as a liner inside a terracotta pot or plastic pot (an air space is left between the net pot and the inside of the other pot).

You can invert a small net pot inside the bottom of a larger plastic pot before you pot up the Cattleya. This functions like an "air cone" type pot.

Any of these options will keep the bottom of the medium in the pot well-aerated and help prevent root loss. Other than that, re-pot when your potting medium starts to decompose a bit (and before it decomposes a lot).

Yeah, I appreciate the advantages of terracotta, but I can't find anything that really fits what I am after.

I am looking at some sites selling plastic trays, about 25 x 30 or 35 and 10 deep would be ideal. There is one in faux rattan, but I worry about roots growing thru the holes in the sides.

I love the Rand Aircone clear plastic pots, especially for my Catts. They are translucent, square and very sturdy and re-usable. They have a built in cone with air slots in the centre. Because they are square, they seem much more stable for top heavy plants and fit nicely on shelves. They come in a variety of sizes from small 2 inch as far as at least 6 inch. Maybe larger-I am not sure. Quarter Acre Orchids in the U.S is where I order from and Tindara Orchids in the U.S also has them. I'm not sure of European sources. They are quite easy to find in N. America.

They are not real shallow but if I think they are too deep, I just add some Leica balls in the bottom. Most the time the roots fill the pot with no problem. The depth usually suits the rootballs of my Catts.

What you describe sounds like what are called bulb pans (in the US).

---------- Post added at 11:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:30 AM ----------

Also look at bonsai pots, they are squatter than tall.

Now that's a great help. Never heard the term bulb pan before, but it does look as if I shall have to ship them from the US, if they will, because so many companies don't ship to Europe.

You may look in garden centers or in shops that stock equipment for cacti growers. If you have to use a bigger plastic pot, often styrofoam chunks or a small inverted pot inside the pot or drilled holes in the side and bottom are helpful for aeration inside.

Before you spend money on overseas shipping, call shops that specialize in bulbs (tulips, amaryllis, Narcissus, crocus, etc.)

Yes, bulb pans, also azalea pots (deeper than bulb pans, but shallower than standard pots)

Using styro, or other inorganic material in the bottom of pots can be helpful.

Here's a nice site for plastic boxes. You can type in dimensions, and they will show you what they have.

Box Finder

There are several choices in the 9-11 cm depth and 30 - 35 long and 20-25 wide.

I quite like the clear version of this.

Buy Strata Plastic Storage Tray | Buy Book Storage Tray