How to keep orchids in pots

[Paul Mc]

This is probably a really silly question.

I just repotted all of my orchids late this winter and many have not fully taken ahold yet. They are very loose in the medium. I want to take them outside once the weather is nice enough, but don't want the wind to blow away the lighter weight medium nor toss the orchids out of their pots.

One prime example, my tolumnia's. They are very small, in no medium to speak of other than small bits of charcoal.

[peeweelovesbooks]

I've used rhizome clips--but could never really manage to properly set them.

I recently discovered Horticultural Plastic Tape. I wrap the tape to a psedudobulb or two (depending on the location of the pb's, then I slip the bottom end through the side drain hole of pot, and the top end over the top of the plant, then tie them together.

The plants DO NOT MOVE. Recently, we had a severe storm here in Miami. Some of my pots were thrown on their side. However, the plants were still inside the pot.

I have a lot of seedlings. For your tolumnias, the only thing I can think of recommending is putting the small pots inside shuttle trays. This is the only thing that has worked for me.

My seedling pots are too tiny to be able to insert any type of string or tie to secure the plant to the pot, but I suppose the tray serves as a buffer. I've not had a plant be unpotted since I started using these.

Good luck!

[trdyl]

One other thing that I have used from time to time are twist-ties on really small plants. After making a small hole or two near the top of the pot to secure the twist-tie to the pot.