Advantages of Different Orchid Pots

When it comes to orchid pots, there are many different options. You can plant your beauties in plastic, terra cotta, or baskets of many different materials. Each type of planting pot has its own advantages. Here is some information to help you choose between the different pots that are available for orchids.

Plastic

This simple sort of pot is great because it can be used over and over when you split orchids. All you have to do is disinfect it with a bleach solution between plantings, which is really easy to do. You will also need to drill drainage holes in the bottom of this type of pot.

Plastic pots are best suited for plants that don’t mind staying moist for longer periods of time, since they tend to hold in more moisture. It’s vital that you don’t over-water orchids planted in these types of pots. Right now, clear polyurethane orchid pots are really popular because they allow sunlight to reach the roots of the plants.

Terra Cotta

Clay or terra cotta pots are great if you want to take your orchid outside, since they’re heavier and less likely to be blown or knocked over. These pots also clear out moisture more easily, which is good for the orchid types that actually prefer drier conditions.

The typical terra cotta pot that you buy has one drainage hole, so you’ll want to put something like gravel at the bottom to make the pot drain better. You can also get special clay pots made just for orchids that have extra drainage holes in the sides.

Baskets

Baskets are excellent for all sorts of orchids, and they’re actually traditional orchid pots in many areas where they grow locally. Baskets allow air to circulate around the roots, and some even allow the roots to grow outside of the growing medium if the circumstances are humid enough.

Baskets can dry out more easily, but many orchids actually prefer this. They can be filled with growing medium, which is large enough that it doesn’t slip through the large holes. Baskets can also add interesting texture to a grouping of orchids in your home because they can be made in a variety of shapes and sizes and from a variety of materials. Also, baskets can be hung, which opens up new possibilities for where you’ll place your orchids and how you’ll view them.

All of these orchid pots are excellent ways to plant your orchids. It can be a good idea to do research on the specific types of orchids you’re buying before you choose a pot. Different plants will normally prefer different types of pots, or at least different growing conditions. By doing your research first, this will help you figure out what type of pot you like best for your orchids.

Don’t forget, too, that you can always change up the type of pot you use just by repotting your orchids. Although you don’t want to do this too often, if you don’t like how a pot performs or how it looks, you can just transfer your plant to a new pot.