How does an orchid "know" that it is pot bound?

[snowflake311]

I think the whole point of keeping orchids in small pots is because of ROT. Smaller pots allow the roots to take up all the moisture with very left over. When a Phal is in a pot that it too big you will see rot as more of an issue.

Orchids in the wild are never restricted the roots are allowed to grow any way and as long as need be.

I wish I could mount all my orchids.

[bil]

Originally Posted by snowflake311

I think the whole point of keeping orchids in small pots is because of ROT. Smaller pots allow the roots to take up all the moisture with very left over. When a Phal is in a pot that it too big you will see rot as more of an issue.

Orchids in the wild are never restricted the roots are allowed to grow any way and as long as need be.

I wish I could mount all my orchids.

Sorry, gotta disagree. Epiphytes are never constrained in the wild, they will grow over the whole damn tree given a chance. You recommend small pots to people as they usually pack them full of dense material, and the air can't get in. I have been potting phals in BIG pots with just large bark chunks, and they have done well.

[astrid]

Originally Posted by bil

Sorry, gotta disagree. Epiphytes are never constrained in the wild, they will grow over the whole damn tree given a chance. You recommend small pots to people as they usually pack them full of dense material, and the air can't get in. I have been potting phals in BIG pots with just large bark chunks, and they have done well.

I've had rotting issues with phals in bigger pots but I think I used the wrong media. It was more of a medium bark mix with some sphagnum mixed in and it was too moist for my climate.

I wonder if the plants can get more stability faster in a small pot, and when they are stable, they feel happier and like they can thrive?

I like how everyone has a different idea about this!

[rbarata]

We can also think the more unstable the medium, the higher tendency for pahls tend to create roots.

[bil]

Originally Posted by astrid

I've had rotting issues with phals in bigger pots but I think I used the wrong media. It was more of a medium bark mix with some sphagnum mixed in and it was too moist for my climate.

I wonder if the plants can get more stability faster in a small pot, and when they are stable, they feel happier and like they can thrive?

I like how everyone has a different idea about this!

Well, sphag and phals to me are an invitation to rot. Stability in a pot is important, yes, but I find that mine are very stable.

[astrid]

Originally Posted by bil

Well, sphag and phals to me are an invitation to rot. Stability in a pot is important, yes, but I find that mine are very stable.

I am growing one phal in pure sphag and it is totally happy. You just have to know how to use it properly.

[bil]

Originally Posted by astrid

I am growing one phal in pure sphag and it is totally happy. You just have to know how to use it properly.

My problem is that winters here are cold and wet enough to make root rot a real risk, so I tend to pot for summer, where as long asI can water/mist them every day they should be ok. I use sphag in a couple of emergency situations, but I have found that while it works well as a starter, the roots have a problem in winter.

Ideally I would repot them twice a year, shifting them from summer pots to winter ones. Ahaha.

Yes, I know, that way lies madness.

[Ray]

First let's keep in mind, that - excluding the issue of wet+too cold - most "rots" are due to root death caused by suffocation, not simply the exposure to moisture.

Most potting media that are organic based do not wick particularly well, and as essentially all of the evaporation of the contained moisture is from the top and interface with the pot wall, it typically leaves a saturated pocket in the middle - right in the middle of the root mass, so suffocation ensues.

Put that same medium in a net pot, and you are less likely (depending upon your growing conditions) to have that issue, as the drying rate will be accelerated.

Alternately, if you use a medium that wicks really well, like LECA, that saturated "core" will not exist.

[snowflake311]

Originally Posted by bil

Sorry, gotta disagree. Epiphytes are never constrained in the wild, they will grow over the whole damn tree given a chance. You recommend small pots to people as they usually pack them full of dense material, and the air can't get in. I have been potting phals in BIG pots with just large bark chunks, and they have done well.

Yeah that's what I said they are never restricted.

It is not natural to grow orchids in pots no matter what size it is. Everyone growing area is different what might work for you might not work for me. Also everyone waters a bit differant. Some like to water , Some don't have time. This can cause people to grow orchids differently.

The best way for me to get air to the roots is with lots of extra holes in the pot. I drill extra holes in my pots. The phals I have had problems with were in pots that were too big and did not have extra holes for ventilation.

[gnathaniel]

Originally Posted by bil

Sorry, gotta disagree. Epiphytes are never constrained in the wild, they will grow over the whole damn tree given a chance. You recommend small pots to people as they usually pack them full of dense material, and the air can't get in. I have been potting phals in BIG pots with just large bark chunks, and they have done well.

Sorry, gotta disagree, you're waay over-generalizing the vast diversity of epiphytes, including Orchidaceae and multiple other species-rich families. Many epiphytes and lithophytes do show remarkable preference for confined spaces like hollows and crotches in trees, arboreal ant nests, leaf/frond axils of bromeliads and ferns, tight rock crevices, etc. Likewise some orchids do best for me in narrow, tall pots, others in broad, shallow dishes without drainage, or on various types of mounts, etc etc...

Astrid, are you asking about a specific type of orchid? As posed, your question is too global for a coherent answer, perhaps because you start with the over-general and not universally true assumption that 'orchids thrive when potbound' (some DO seem to, others not). Not trying to be rude; if more specific you pose an interesting question, but as with most things orchid culture it's rarely accurate or useful to speak in broad generalities.