What kind of pot is needed for an orchid: what is the best choice of capacity to plant a flower correctly, should there be holes, how to determine the size, as well as photo options

One of the important points in terms of orchid care is its transplant. This procedure promotes accelerated growth and long flowering. But for this you will have to try in terms of choosing the right pot.

Since today their assortment is quite wide, it is sometimes difficult for gardeners to understand which one will be ideally suited for an orchid. We, in turn, will help to determine the choice of pot in which the orchid should grow.

How to choose the right one?

Orchid is a plant that will not tolerate overmoistening of the root system. When choosing a pot for her, it is important to proceed from this particular requirement. A specialized flower container should provide:

full outflow of moisture;
active aeration of the roots and soil inside the pot;
safe extraction of juicy, long rhizomes that may extend outside the container;
acceptable temperature for the orchid.

Unlike pots

The only difference between the pots and pots is the presence of holes on the bottom. The pot has them, but the pots don't. You can plant an orchid in any of the proposed containers, only then the care of the flower will be slightly different. In the pot, you can water the orchid from above or provide lower watering. But in a pot, you can moisten the soil only from above.

What is better to grow?

The orchid needs a large amount of soil, so a small pot is not suitable for it (about the substrate ideal for orchids - ceramis, as well as about the features of growing flowers in it, read our article). When buying a pot, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

at the bottom of the tank and its lower part of the walls there should be holes for drainage;
the height of the container should be equal to the width of the neck;
the volume of the tank must match the size of the root system.

Bad options

For growing orchids, glass containers are not the best option. The reason is that the holes cannot be drilled, therefore, ventilation of the root system will be insufficient.

Even worse, the flower will feel in a ceramic container. To begin to grow to the walls, therefore, when transplanting, there is a high risk of injury.

If the capacity for the orchid was chosen incorrectly, then this is fraught with the following problem:

rotting of roots - if you choose a pot without holes, then the water will begin to stagnate, which is fraught with decay;
lack of flowering - this is the result of an improperly sized pot;
withering and yellowing of leaves - This is a typical problem with improper material for the pot.

What to look for when choosing an orchid pot?

As mentioned above, for the root system of an orchid, it is necessary to choose a spacious capacity. But too much is not permissible. Otherwise, the growth of the flower will stop, as well as flowering. Pick up the pot only a little more than what it was before. Then the adaptation will happen quickly and painlessly.

When choosing an orchid pot, it doesn’t matter if it is transparent or not.. Just a container with transparent walls allows the grower to constantly monitor the condition of the flower. There are situations that due to improper watering, the plant affects rot. Then it will be easier for the grower to identify the disease in time and eliminate it even at an early stage of development. We talked about the pros and cons of a transparent container for growing orchids, the choice of material, as well as the rules for planting a flower in such a vessel here.

In most cases, plastic containers are chosen for orchids. But for some types of flower, there are features of buying capacity. For example, for cymbidium, you can choose a container from any material, the main thing is that it is tight.

But the glass container is not suitable for all cultures. Such containers are used for growing on a balcony, with an open root system. The following grades can be used:

Vandu;
Ascocende;
Philenopsis.

Due to stagnation of water, the root system may rot, and the flower itself will die. So for those types of orchids that do not have photosynthesis in their roots, they do not require additional light, therefore, holes are not necessary in the tank. For everyone else, this moment is a must.

Watch the video about the features of the orchid pot:

Description and photo of materials

Below you can see photos of pots made of different materials suitable for growing orchids.

Glass

Only an experienced grower can grow an orchid in a glass container, which feels the need for culture in the flow of moisture. The reason is that in such flowerpots there is no possibility for applying additional drainage holes, and they also have no drain of excess water.

ATTENTION: Planting a flower in a glass container requires careful preparation of the substrate and a large layer of drainage. If this condition is not met, then air exchange will be disrupted in the vessel, and the walls will be covered with algae.

You can buy a glass pot in a specialized store. The price varies from 190 to 350 rubles.

Plastic

A container made of plastic without holes is not suitable for an orchid. The fact is that before landing, they need additional training. Its essence is that you have to apply additional side holes. This will add a full supply of air to the root system.

Today, more and more often, for a orchid, they choose a plastic pot Corona. Its peculiarity is breathability. Any kind of orchid in such a vessel will feel at home: in the humid tropics, in the branches of trees, where air enters the root system from all sides. In addition, the Crown pot will fit into any interior, and the light will easily penetrate inside. You can buy a plastic pot at a price of 50-120 rubles.

Ceramic

When choosing a pot made of ceramic, it is necessary to ensure that they are covered with glaze, and there should be holes on the sides. Such containers have several features:

Moisture permeability and excellent throughput. This allows moisture to be evenly distributed throughout the volume.
Ceramic containers have a heavy weight, which prevents the plant from falling under the weight of its weight.

Ceramic pots should choose a light color. This will prevent the root system from overheating at high summer temperatures. The cost of ceramic containers is 1300-2500 rubles.

Clay

Such containers may also be suitable for orchid cultivation. But just choose the products designed specifically for these colors. It contains a large number of side holes made in the form of wicker baskets.

The rough surface inside the pot will cause the roots to grow into the walls and the earth will dry out quickly. You can avoid this if you buy a glazed clay pot. The peculiarity of clay is the ability to maintain temperature for a long timeso that overheating or hypothermia of the root system of the flower is unacceptable.

The cost of a clay pot is 400-1500 rubles.

Metal

A metal basket is the most optimal option when growing such flowers, as close as possible to natural conditions. In a metal pot, plants will grow freely, not overheat. In addition, the moisture will not stagnate, and excellent conditions for aeration are created.

The cost of metal containers is 100-700 rubles.

Bamboo

A bamboo pot is an environmentally friendly and well-drained container. In addition, it fits well into the overall interior. But bamboo containers will have to be changed more often than plastic or ceramic. And in case of violation of the care technology on the surface, rot that is dangerous for the orchid may develop.

The price of such a pot is 400-1000 rubles.

The perfect solution

Ideal for growing a transparent plastic pot with side openings. This capacity provides excellent air and moisture permeability. The root system will not grow to the walls of the pot, but develop fully. In addition, a plastic container is also a budget option, because it is cheaper than clay, glass, and bamboo.

Where can I buy?

There are two ways to buy a pot for an orchid:

Through the Internet.
In a specialized flower shop.

Homemade

DIY handmade orchid pot has its own advantages:

environmental friendliness;
original design and form;
saving money.

The disadvantages of this design include the waste of personal time and the preparation of material for the pot. The rest of the design is no worse than the purchased option.

Of course, a homemade pot is much better than purchased. The fact is that with independent production, the florist will be able to get a capacity that is ideal for the growth and development of a particular orchid variety.

In addition, you can save some money, because today pots are not so cheap, especially if you need more than one container. And the homemade slide in design wins. The flower grower can execute it in any version that fits perfectly into the overall concept of the interior.

How to do it yourself?

There are several ways to make an orchid pot. The simplest option is obtained from plastic bottles. It is necessary to prepare 2 containers - 1 liter and 2 liters. They will be involved in obtaining the pot itself and automatic watering. Procedure:

To make a watering container, take a 2 liter bottle and cut it to a height of 20 cm from the bottom. Further in the work the lower part is used.
From above, make 8 cuts, the depth of which is 4 cm. This will allow you to form racks for the pot.
Bend the resulting segments inward through one.
To fill the container with water, cut off the neck from the remaining top of the bottle.
Mark the hole in the bottom of the resulting drinker so that the spout can be fixed.
In the slotted hole, the neck is fixed with thermal glue.
To get a pot, take 1 liter bottle, cut it to a height of 15 cm.
On the edge of the upper part, make an external bend of 1 cm. Place the racks of the autowatering container in it that will hold the pot.
At the bottom, make 8-9 holes into which to pass dense fabric cords. According to them, water from the irrigation tank will flow into the pot.
The length of the cord should be such that it reaches the drinker day.
Pour the soil into the pot and place the plant. Fill the watering can with water and place a flower pot on it.
As necessary, the liquid will be added through the nozzle.

How to plant a plant?

Per block

For orchid cultivation in conditions as close as possible to its natural, it is worth choosing the option of planting on the block. A block is a piece of bark, the size of which fits the size of the root system of a plant. While the flower is small, polystyrene can be used instead of bark.

You can grow an orchid on a block with a substrate and without it. If the latter option is chosen, then the orchid is grown on a suspended wire or on a fishing line. For cultivation, a tree variety that does not rot (mango tree) is suitable. You can find it in pet stores and in departments with accessories for aquariums. Read about how to make a block for an orchid with your own hands, as well as the rules for growing a flower here.

Growing orchids on the block allows less frequent watering of the plant, since moisture will not go away so slowly, I linger in the substrate.

Sphagnum moss, which grows in swamps, is perfect as a substrate.. The disadvantage of this method is that the root ball will dry out quickly - in the summer a few hours are enough. So to use the landing on the block is for orchids grown in a greenhouse.

Watch a video about planting an orchid on a block:

In garbage

A basket is the best option for those who want to recreate the natural conditions for an orchid, but do not want to plant on a block. To make a basket, you can use various materials:

bamboo;
wood;
steel;
plastic;
metal mesh.

TIP: The basket made of bamboo and wood looks rather original. But the wooden structure has one drawback: the root system grows strongly to it, which is traumatic when transplanted.

The best way to use bamboo. To make a basket you need:

lay out planks or a piece of bamboo;
make a hole in them and stretch the fishing line;
it remains only to hang a homemade basket and plant a plant in it.

Plastic baskets are quite practical, but less decorative.

Conclusion

Choosing an Orchid Pot - A Responsible Processon which the further growth and development of the flower depends. When choosing, it is worth focusing on such parameters as material, dimensions, air and moisture permeability, as well as design. Properly selected containers will allow the plant to bloom brightly, abundantly and for a long time.