watering confusion-just add ice

[Izzie]

I've noticed that many of the pots those come in do not drain well, because the plastic inner pot is wedged in so tightly into the closed clay pot. Be sure that you can get that plastic pot out and let water drain, otherwise you're just asking for mold and such to grow in there.

[johnblagg]

Just a side note I have no problem at all with the "just add Ice" brand the plants are very nice to indeed awesome when freshly arrived in store.In fact Home depo has a new batch and among them is a realy cool peloric this time and several great dark purples and some truly monstes whites with some of the biggest blooms I have ever seen .....

The only issue in truth is the add three ice cubes a week to water them instruction.While this may work well for some it is simply simplifying too much in my opinion and indeed unless your making special ice cubes with fertilizer solution dosent give any way to fertilize .....

I have several realy nice phals from this brand and the only thing I do is take them out of the cache pots and water my way

[JustAddIceOrchids]

Hi Smitha – the best way to ensure your new phalaenopsis orchid receives enough water is to use the orchid roots as an indicator for watering. Well-watered roots should be a healthy green color, while grayish-white roots indicate more water is needed. Be sure to drain any excess water at the bottom of your decorative pot after each watering, as orchid roots should not be constantly wet. Other factors to consider are making sure your orchid receive enough indirect sunlight and humidity and it is located away from drafty areas. Good luck!

[Izzie]

That's all very well and good, but hard to do when you practically have to break the cache pot in order to get the plastic pot out.

I'd have to agree with John though- if you can get there right when they arrive, the plants aren't bad.

[kavanaru]

Originally Posted by Izzie

That's all very well and good, but hard to do when you practically have to break the cache pot in order to get the plastic pot out.

well, it depends on the pots you use... As long as you use a cache pot slightly larger than your plastic pot, you do not have this problem. Furthermore, having a cache pot slightly larger, helpd for aireation inside the pot and to allow rests of water to evaporate... Almost everybody at my work have Phalaenopsis or Dendrobium plants this way, and I do not know anyone yet who has had to break the cache pot...