Getting a phal to grow deeper roots

[silken]

I use a lot of clear pots and go for the square ones for plants that are top heavy as they are a bit more stable. But I also use clay pots and regualr plastic pots when I can't get clear in the right sizes or shapes. I like clay for big cattleyas and nobile dendrobiums as these types can be so top heavy

[bronco]

Originally Posted by tucker85

I experimented for a long time with phalaenopsis before I found that clear pots worked so well with them. I don't use clear pots for any of my other orchids. I use clay pots or wooden baskets for my cattleyas because they need to dry quickly and they're top heavy. In lightwieght plastic pots they tend to tip over. I use wood baskets for vandas. Some of my smaller orchids I grow mounted.

Hello Tucker,
I'm very new at caring for orchids.
When you say clear pots,are you referring to the clear plastic pots that the orchids usually come in?
Thanks,Denny

[The Orchid Boy]

I think he is referring to any clear plastic pots. You can order all sorts of clear plastic orchid pots online. Just search for 'clear plastic orchid pots.' You can also make clear pots with clear plastic cups. That's how I got mine. Get a clear cup, cut some holes in the bottom, and if you want cut some slots on the sides.

[silken]

Yes, sometimes the orchid comes in a fairly nice clear pot and that is fine. But often they are soft flimsy things that aren't that great. Anything that light can get thru and it's nice to be able to see the roots thru. If they are green, they are still damp, if silver, they are dry.

[lycaonpictus]

My local orchid society got all excited about clear pots for phals a few years ago. A lot of folks potted up phals (and phrags, if I remember correctly) in clear plastic soda bottles -- like a Pepsi bottle with the top part cut off. Holes in the bottom and the sides, and you have an instant clear pot! Lots of folks rave about the nice roots you can get this way.

[Arenalbotanicalgarden]

That's because you're growing them upside down !

Phalaenopsis in natural habitat ( in situ) - YouTube

!

[camille1585]

Roots not growing into a pot are not about growing upside down or not, but rather mimicking natural conditions the roots get, ie light!

[tucker85]

Originally Posted by bronco

Hello Tucker,
I'm very new at caring for orchids.
When you say clear pots,are you referring to the clear plastic pots that the orchids usually come in?
Thanks,Denny

I'm sorry, I didn't see your question before. I buy my pots locally but you can see the same pots at rePotme.com. I pot in the smallest pot I can comfortably fit the roots into so I need small pots. I use the 3" rigid clear orchid pots for small plants. The fluted lip often interfers with roots but it's the only 3" with good drainage I've found. I use the 4" crystal clear orchid pot. And for large plants my favorite is the 5" Slotted clear orchid pot with slots along the sides and big drainage holes on the bottom. I don't like the clear pots with slots on the bottom instead of holes. They don't dry fast enough. Like previous posts said, you can make you own also.

---------- Post added at 08:47 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:35 AM ----------

Here's an old picture from when I was experimenting with clear pots and net pots. The pot on the left is a 5" slotted clear orchid pot. I still sometimes use a small net pot up-side-down in the middle of the pot to increase air circulation. But I don't alway use them. The roots will be green when there's still moisture in the pot and turn white when they're dry and ready to water.

[Tsuchibuta]

That's interesting, both pots are slotted yet in the clear pot it looks as though the roots stayed in the pot where as in the net pot they grew out of it.

[bronco]

Originally Posted by Tsuchibuta

That's interesting, both pots are slotted yet in the clear pot it looks as though the roots stayed in the pot where as in the net pot they grew out of it.

That's true but the slots in the net pot are much wider than in the clear pot.