Pots

Orchid pots - The ideal pot

Plastic

As you naturally buy an orchid in a pot, the question of the ideal planter usually only arises when you next repot it. When the time comes, choose a model that is only one unit larger than the previous pot, as a large amount of substrate stores a lot of water, too much for a small plant with a (still) modest root system.

If you grow your plant in a transparent pot would be well advised to buy another transparent pot. Some varieties, such as Phalaenopsis, also photosynthesise with their roots. photosynthesis with their roots and are happy when a little light reaches deeper into the soil. Another advantage is that you can always keep a close eye on all processes in the substrate, recognise pest infestations quickly and constantly monitor the condition of the substrate and root growth. However, whether you prefer the transparent or coloured version, the pot should always have have sufficient holes in the base to allow the water to drain away efficiently.

As a visually appealing, practical and translucent alternative to the planterorchids in transparent pots can also be placed on a window bowl. These are filled with a few centimetres of water before the orchids are placed on the plastic grid above. The roots have no contact with the water, but the constant evaporation increases the humidity in the immediate vicinity of the plants, which they respond to with healthy growth.

Ampel pot

For orchids such as Vanilla planifolia or those with drooping inflorescences, the range of pots available expands. With this type of growth habit, hanging baskets suspended from the ceiling are ideal as a seat for the orchid, as the plant has room to stretch its panicles downwards. This means that they are not in the way and are not at risk of kinking, while at the same time creating a cosy tropical-exotic living atmosphere.

Clay growing tray

A variation on the hanging basket is this handcrafted cone-shaped growing bowl made of clay. It is an alternative to the plastic hanging basket, especially for small or medium-sized orchids. Varieties with hanging panicles are shown to their best advantage in this pot, but in principle this container can be used for all orchid species, for example Paphiopedilum, Cattleya, Oncidium and Phalaenopsis. The elaborate slits not only decorate the bowl from all sides, they also allow water to drip off or evaporate more quickly and at the same time ensure good aeration of the substrate, which is so important for orchids. The pot can be attached to the ceiling using wire hangers (which can be ordered separately from us), metal chains or sufficiently strong cords. There are still plenty of options for personalising the design.

And the substrate? You can confidently do without it. Small amounts of long-term hydroponic fertiliser in the irrigation water provide the orchid with all the nutrients it needs.

If this new variant is too adventurous for you, but you still don't want to do without the tried-and-tested terracotta pot classic, you could consider our hanging clay bowl with holes in the side, for example, or simply use the clay pot as a planter. This way, it can also buffer temperature fluctuations.

Trays

Anyone who has a lot of orchids at home, possibly even growing young plants in a small greenhouse, will quickly recognise the value of setting trays. These plastic trays in various sizes offer space for 4, 10 or even 24 orchids in pots with a diameter of 9 or 12 cm. They ensure a secure and organised stand when many pots need to be placed in a small area. The plants in the trays can easily be watered at the same time with a shower head from above without having to take them out first, as several small or one large hole in the base of the individual spaces allows water to drain away quickly.

Watering collar

The main advantage of a watering collar is that it can accommodate many orchids in a limited space. This wide plastic ring is clicked onto the edge of the pot and thus extends the pot upwards. As a result, the orchid's leaves are slightly upright instead of protruding to the side and require less space.

Multi-plug-in plate

A new orchid is usually purchased as a young plant or adult specimen, but professionals also cultivate baby orchids at home from a laboratory beaker or bottle. The best way to do this is to first grow them in appropriately small planters and sphagnum moss. Up to 104 or 144 plants can be cultivated in a small space in a multi-plug-in tray with recesses of 2.5 - 3.5 cm in diameter. The required size of the multi-plug tray depends not only on the number of orchids to be pricked out, but also on the diameter of the moss discs. 104 plug-in plates are used for large 3x4 cm moss discs and 144 plug-in plates for small 2x3 cm moss discs. For pricking out, the roots and half a centimetre of the pseudobulb must be clamped between two Sphagnum moss discs and immersed in warm water before the plant is placed as deep as possible in the pot. When the plant is then watered, the discs will swell until they fill the entire pot.

Water ridge

Not necessarily made into decorative ticks, but all the more practical, are water crates. These plastic trays with spaces of 9 to 14 cm in diameter offer space for up to 24 pots. They ensure a particularly secure stand and are a good choice for the hobby greenhouse, but they are also extremely useful for transporting several orchid pots. As the recesses are connected to each other and there are no holes in the base, water can be accumulated to water all the orchids in them at the same time. But be careful: if the plants are to remain in the tray after the immersion bath, the water must then be completely drained off to prevent root damage due to waterlogging.