broken clay pots - Orchid Board

dendro photo · #1 10-25-2010, 11:58 AM

Dose anyone ever use broken clay pots as media. I think it would work really well am i wrong?

Daethen · #2 10-25-2010, 12:09 PM

I recently went to a nursery and they were using the broken pots as medium for vandas. Seemed to work well as they were very healthy.

WhiteRabbit · #3 10-25-2010, 04:22 PM

I haven't used clay pot pieces as main medium, but do use a layer of them at the bottom of pots and the plants I have potted that way the roots shoot down there and seem to love it

tucker85 · #4 10-25-2010, 04:23 PM

I grow mostly Cattleyas and you can grow them on or in almost anything. Broken clay pots would suit them fine.

Ethan · #5 10-26-2010, 01:01 PM

I'm sure it would work just fine, but a couple things I would be careful about are 1. terracotta tends to absorb a lot of salt/minerals which over time could be bad and 2. when it's time to repot, those roots are going to stick to the clay like glue and will be almost impossible to remove...

dendro photo · #6 10-26-2010, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ethan

I'm sure it would work just fine, but a couple things I would be careful about are 1. terracotta tends to absorb a lot of salt/minerals which over time could be bad and 2. when it's time to repot, those roots are going to stick to the clay like glue and will be almost impossible to remove...

I didn't even think about the hair roots that will find there way into the poors of the clay...

Ethan · #7 10-26-2010, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dendro photo

I didn't even think about the hair roots that will find there way into the poors of the clay...

Yeah, I only use clay pots as I prefer the look over plastic, and the clay breathes better. The only drawback is how badly the roots stick, making them almost impossible to repot!!

Call_Me_Bob · #8 10-26-2010, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dendro photo

I didn't even think about the hair roots that will find there way into the poors of the clay...

they should decompose, so when it outgrows the pot, you could just add more clay choips and put it in a bigger pot

peeweelovesbooks · #9 10-26-2010, 07:24 PM

I don't reuse clay pots that way. Come to think of it, I dont' reuse any medium. Out to the garbage it goes.

Except for when I use anything to pot "regular" plants.

Call_Me_Bob · #10 10-26-2010, 10:20 PM

i meant that you wouldnt have to remove the clay pieces that are already in the pot, just move up in pot size and add more