Clay Pots for S/H?

[greggnkay]

I am planning to begin transitioning my potted 'chids to s/h. I have about 25 in pots and the watering regime is going to either; #1: Continue to drive me nutz! and/or #2: force me into early retirement and curtail future aquisitions of more 'chids. I heard you can continue use of standard clay posts if you glue a 1", or so piece of PVC over the drain hole and seal the clay. Is this true? How do you seal the clay? What do you use to glue the PVC to the clay? I also have 5-6 clay pots with all bu the rim glazed...acceptable? Thanks in advance.

Ray, also thanks for all of the great info on your site. You'll be hearing from me soon!

Gregg

[ericst11]

i use plastic slat pots they tend to dry out fast but you never over water and get plenty of air to the roots .they take about a mounth to get going but the ones that do, love it . i did about 90 differant species at once and lost about 3 and they still might come through.i use geolite,dyna rock and parilite and water with straight water for two weeks then started to use general hydroponic at cutting strength and then two weeks later went to normal growth strength. seems to be working great .

[Ray]

If you simply set the clay pot in a waterproof tray and keep it full of nutrient solution, you'll be OK.

However, keep in mind that with an unglazed clay pot, there will be added evaporation through the walls, so the root environment will be evaporatively cooled. In the middle of the summer down there in "Jawjuh", that's probably not an issue, but as the air dries and temperature falls in the Autumn, you're going to want to keep your plants warmer in general, to prevent them from getting too cool. Phals absolutely HATE such a situation, and will give up their roots seemingly in no time.

[Royal]

Great info Ray. Your advice always makes logical sense. Thanks for the tips.

[Des]

Then again , Miltoniopsis Just thrive in the porous clay pots standing in saucers filled with nutrient . It keeps the roots cool even if you grow them in bright light

[Des]

I also plug the hole in the bottom of the clay pot using a cork. And then drill a hole into the wall of the pot about 20 to 40 mmup the base ,using a glass drill

[thakshila smith]

Ray:- my phal plant is living in that way and looks very happy.I kept the pot on a plate of water. roots are connected to water .
And next one is why do you want to seal the hole of the pot .Is it necessary .
I think phals are happy wiht this.