Sometimes orchids can seem more like some kind of exotic life form than an passing common prime .
Many species are so strange in the way they grow and you would n’t wait these plant to thrive in just any old bay window , would you ?
You may have heard that orchidaceous plant want special containers and it ’s lawful , some types need specific pots that provide the drain and strain circulation that keeps the roots happy .
But not all varieties involve particular containers , some orchids are dead felicitous in any old houseplant pot !
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In ourguide to growing orchidswe provide an overview of how to grow these unequaled plants .
Now we ’re going to chat about the deviation between the varieties that need especial containers and those that do n’t , as well as give you a few suggestion depending on the type you have .
Here ’s what I ’ll cover :
What You’ll Learn
How orchidaceous plant develop
Containers for Terrestrial orchid
Containers for aerophyte
mount
To understand what kind of pot to use , we need to know how these plants grow in nature .
Let ’s discuss that first .
The orchid that we typically grow at home are eitherepiphytes , which intend in their natural habitat they are attached to other plants , orterrestrial – those that grow in the ground .
Within the orchid world , there are alsolithophytes , which originate on rocks , and even a few aquatic species , but they are seldom grow as houseplants or in the home base garden .
They are typically only found in specialty store or botanic garden , and are grown by experienced hobbyists or experts .
That say , some epiphyte can also be lithophyte , but these are generally categorise as epiphytes to make things simple . For exemplar , the ever - popularmoth orchidaceous plant ( Phalaenopsisspp.)can farm on trees or on stone , depending on the species and environment .
Do n’t worry about the distinction between the two . Both lithophytes and epiphytes can be grown in the same type of container .
The veridical difference is between terrene and epiphytic types . An epiphyte will postulate a different case of container than a terrestrial flora .
The type of container you choose will depend solely on the industrial plant ’s growing habit .
If you ’re growing terrestrial character , it can be hard to determine which type you have if you are n’t cognizant of the species . If you do n’t know the mintage , do some inquiry or chat with an expert to see if they can at least help you narrow down down the genus .
To learn more about terrestrial orchids , read our guide .
If you bought your orchidaceous plant at the grocery store and you are unsure what type it is , the chances are high that it ’s aPhalaenopsis – an epiphytic type .
Terrestrial types like bamboo ( Arundinaspp.),calanthe ( Calanthespp.)corduroy ( Eulophiaspp . ) , cymbid , ( Cymbidiumspp . ) , carpet slipper ( Cypripediumspp . ) , jewel ( Ludisiaspp . ) , nun ’s ( Phaiusspp . ) , spathoglotti ( Spathoglottisspp . ) , and urn ( Bletillaspp . ) orchids can all be develop in the same kind of corporation you ’d use for most houseplants .
That is , a unanimous pot with at least one drainage hole in the bottom . tolerable drainage is non - conveyable .
Though sublunary types are n’t as sensitive to overwatering as epiphytic species , they will stillsuffer from ascendent rotif they become oversaturated .
If you want a ornamental container , and it does n’t have adequate drain that ’s all right . Just put the plant life in a crapper with in force drainage and then put that inside the ornamental container .
It does n’t really matter whether the pot is inscrutable or shallow because the root will accommodate .
That said , many species rise laterally , with arhizome that spreads sidewaysjust under the surface of the soil as the plant grow . If you require a full , large plant , give it a wide but shallow commode .
It ’s important not to pot up your orchid in a container that is too large , as this can apace lead to root orcrown rot . If the quite a little is too large , the excess soil retains too much water around the roots . Choose something the same size as the existing container or one size of it up .
If your plant is currently originate in a deep pot and you want to move it to a shallow one , turn the existing smoke sideways and compare the depth of the pot to the breadth of the new one to watch sizing .
The stuff does n’t matter . You canuse plastic , Lucius Clay , cementum , wood , metal , or whatever you prefer . It just must absolutely have drainage . Again , this is not negotiable .
Crescent Garden Delano
I really like the 16 - inch Crescent Garden Delano round planteravailable via Amazonfor bigger terrene specimens .
I recollect the shape complement these plant life nicely , and the resin is lightweight at just over two and a one-half lb , but sturdy .
Most of the orchids you determine at grocery stores and big box stores will be epiphytic plant .
Phalaenopsis , Cattleya , Dendrobium , andOncidium(syn . Odontoglossum)species are mostly air plant , and these are typically the pop ones carried by storehouse .
These types of orchids want particular containers . They require the green goddess to have lots of hole in the side , not just at the bottom . This helps with drain and improves tune circulation around the solution .
Theroots of epiphytic typescan’t tolerate any tolerate water , so they postulate mickle of air and first-class drain .
If you ’ve ever purchase one at the computer memory , you probably jazz what the idealistic batch looks like .
They are usually made from open credit card with long slit in the side and bottom . It ’s not essential that they are transparent , though it does help you keep an eye on the root word to watch for problems .
These are ordinarily placed inside an outer decorative container .
You do n’t need to expend a plastic container inside a ornamental tidy sum , though . you’re able to buy ceramic or clay cosmetic pots with the appropriate golf hole .
Tell me this hexagon green and cream ceramic tummy from rePotme , available at Amazon , is n’t gorgeous . It ’s idealistic for expose a beautiful moth orchid .
Hexagon Pot with Holes
I actually opt ceramic or Lucius DuBignon Clay pots because I find they dry out out quicker than plastic corporation set inside another pot .
The downside is that you need to put them into the sinkhole or bathing tub , or outside , when you waterbecause the excess water need to drain out of the gob .
If you ’d care to keep it simple and use a plastic inner mass , you need to find one that is the correct size for your choose decorative forbidden throne . It should be just a little bit modest .
The pot should also be about the same size or one size up as the container the plant is presently spring up in .
You do n’t want to overpot epiphytic type either . They care being a bit ascendent bound and too large of a container promotes overwatering , and from there , it ’s a brusk slip to settle rot - ville .
A five- or six - in pot is likely just correct , unless you have an exceptionally great or belittled specimen .
Truedays 4 - Pack Orchid Pots
If that works for you , you could grab a four - pack of five - inch liners from Truedaysvia Amazon .
When you ’ve choose your container , study our guide to repotting orchidaceous plant to learn more .
Skip the Container
With epiphytes and lithophytes , you may choose to skip the container altogether and mount the plant life instead . If you lean to overwater your plants , this is the way to go .
It ’s almost impossible to overwater a mounted flora and this method recreates the plant ’s lifelike growing environment more closely than growing in any case of container .
Mounted plants have their source wrapped in moss and are then affixed to a financial backing .
you’re able to mount a industrial plant on wood , bamboo , cork , clay , or any other natural fabric that wo n’t disintegrate in water .
Alternatively , you’re able to also hang the plant in a basket fill with moss as a substrate .
If you survive in the veracious climate for the coinage , you may even climb up the plant on a living tree outdoors .
you may save Ellen Price Wood or buy something singular and fetid at a second - helping hand shop .
Natural Driftwood
you’re able to also buy driftwood pieces in a variety of sizesfrom Amazonto use for go up .
Can’t Be Contained
If you ’re anything like me , what started as a spine - of - the - bit leverage from the grocery store store has rapidly turned into an orchid - growing obsession .
Part of going from fairweather grower to expert is figuring out what kind of container to get the plants in .
I hope you now find positive about how to contain your beautiful plant . If so , we have several otherorchid usher that will help you expand your knowledge . Here ’s just a sample :
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . intersection pic via Amazon , Crescent Garden , mayjoywoo , rePotme , and Truedays . Uncredited photo : Shutterstock .
About
Kristine Lofgren
