Pots with holes on bottom....drill side holes too?

[jimbojones]

Hello, I currently potted up a few plants s/h. The pots have about 5 holes on the bottom and I have them sitting in a small round tray with about 1" of fertilizer mix drained into the bottom. Is it recommened to also drill holes in the pot about an 1" up from the bottom on the pot too? Thanks

edit. the title should say pots, not trays.

[cb977]

Hi jimbo Welcome to Orchidboard
We'd love to hear more about what you're growing...if you'd like to introduce yourself, we have a special forum for that
Check out our Introductions - Break The Ice forum...your new friends would like to say hello

As for your question, I don't personally follow the S/H regimen but I'm pretty sure the holes are only one the sides, not on the bottom.

For a ton of useful information, check out Ray Barkalow's site:
Welcome to First Rays Orchids

Hope to see you around the board

[Tindomul]

Yes, for s/h culture your holes should be on the side so that the pot creates a reservoir of water at the bottom.

[jimbojones]

Well, the pot drains out of the bottom into a 3" tall drip tray that it is sitting in. I fill it enough so it creates a 1" high resevoir inside the pot and drip tray. I am not sure though if I should put a hole or 2 in the side of the pot to maybe help with airflow?

If I can snap a picture I will so you can see what I mean.
I also have other plants in single pots with the 2 hole sont he side that create the resevoir inside the pot only with no drip tray.

The reason I am doing it this way is because I have a bunch of these pots and I didnt want to waste them......they look like these
http://www.gothicarchgreenhouses.com/HG_724425.jpg
sitting in something like this
http://www.astonparts.co.uk/acatalog/drip.tray.jpg

[Gin]

I have a couple regular pots like yours sitting in containers it seems to work fine , could add the holes in the sides , I use a soldering iron , don't know how much it helps with air flow but wont hurt .. Gin

[Ray]

1) Don't bother with the holes in the side.
2) You're simply using an external reservoir, rather than in internal one.
3) Don't put more than one plant in a tray, as that nutrient bath is a great way to share plant pathogens.

[Tindomul]

Originally Posted by jimbojones

Well, the pot drains out of the bottom into a 3" tall drip tray that it is sitting in. I fill it enough so it creates a 1" high resevoir inside the pot and drip tray. I am not sure though if I should put a hole or 2 in the side of the pot to maybe help with airflow?

If I can snap a picture I will so you can see what I mean.
I also have other plants in single pots with the 2 hole sont he side that create the resevoir inside the pot only with no drip tray.

The reason I am doing it this way is because I have a bunch of these pots and I didnt want to waste them......they look like these
http://www.gothicarchgreenhouses.com/HG_724425.jpg
sitting in something like this
http://www.astonparts.co.uk/acatalog/drip.tray.jpg

This is fine. I do the same thing with one my Phal. Malibu Bistro. It seems to like it as it is still in Bloom, since Thanksgiving.

[mofms1]

Originally Posted by Ray

1) Don't bother with the holes in the side.
2) You're simply using an external reservoir, rather than in internal one.
3) Don't put more than one plant in a tray, as that nutrient bath is a great way to share plant pathogens.

This answers a question of mine as I am having problems finding pots I can use for s/h. but I do have an additional question. If I use a pot with holes on the bottom, will I need to do anything else to be sure I have air flow for the roots? Or will the air pockets in the LECA provide enough air?

[Ray]

The open spaces in between particles is sufficient, as long as the particles are large enough, say, over 8mm or so. Most LECA is an 8-16 cut.