DIY plastic cone pot
 

I was given a large Phal luedemanniana keiki and I bought a couple of mini phals, all of which needed to be potted into clear plastic so I could see the roots. All I had on hand were different sized deli containers I've used for semi hydro. The smallest of deli container seemed too large for the mini orchids & the larger deli container too big for the keiki. The solution I came up with is to put a plastic mesh cone in the bottom of the pot. My thought being that this would take up space and allow better drying in the middle of the pot. I have no idea how well this will work in the long term, but thought I would share to get opinions. Here's what I did:

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Put holes in bottom of deli container

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Cut a plastic mesh circle from one side to the middle

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Form a cone just a little larger than the inside diameter of the bottom of the deli container & use fishing line to "stich" the seam

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Put the cone in the pot.

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Add the potting media & the orchid

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Here's a pic of the large keiki potted the same way about 2 weeks ago.

I sell a great many 2" net pots precisely for that application - just invert it in an ordinary plastic pot before adding medium and - voila' - D-I-Y aircone.

That's what I've done - use a net pot upside down in the bottom of the main pot. But I like to reuse materials, so I will keep your clever method in mind. I have lots of the those little plastic bowls!

Cool idea. I have also used small, overturned net pots for the dsme effect. But your idea probably costs less.

What type of plastic mesh is it and where to buy it?

I bought the plastic mesh circles from the knitting department at a craft store. A packages of 6 was $1.80. I'm not sure what they are called. The same mesh is sold in rectangular sheets in various colors in case you want to get creative :)

Looks really nice! What a clever idea!

Thank you for the info, I'm going to try it.

These photos totally make me think my idea of potting material loosely was not loose enough.

Went to Walmart and got a package of the mesh, they are rectangular, good price

FYI: It's called "plastic canvas".

Look how clever you are! I've done what Ray suggested and inverted a net pot in a larger plastic pot. But I don't always have a net pot handy. Neat idea!

Really awesome idea! Thanks for sharing!!:)

what a good idea!

I like it...nice