An orchid is that flower whose successful growth directly depends on the pot in which it is grown. That is why it is important for the grower to figure out which pots are needed for these flowers. To choose the best and most suitable container, you need to analyze all the requirements of the plant and understand all possible options.

Orchid Growing Requirements

When growing orchids, you should adhere to some subtleties of flower care.

Among the basic requirements of a flower, the following can be distinguished:

• a sufficient amount of light;
• a special substrate consisting of bark, moss, coal, sand, clay in granules, cork, perlite or vermiculite;
• timely moderate watering;
• regular top dressing;
• temperature within +18 ... + 27 ° С during the day and +13 ... + 24 ° С at night;
• humidity 60–80%.

Did you know? Orchids can be found almost anywhere in the world. The exception is the ice of the Arctic and Antarctic.

What should be the pots for orchids?

In order for the orchid to develop correctly and remain healthy throughout its life, it is necessary to choose the right container for growing. The capacity must meet the following basic requirements.

1. The size. The pot volume should be selected based on the size of the root system of the orchid. It should not be too tight or too large.
2. Holes The presence of holes on the walls of the pot is important, which will allow air to circulate freely and enrich the root system with oxygen.
3. Drainage. It is advisable to choose pots with drainage holes, which will positively affect the outflow of excess moisture. The cache-pot, which by its design does not have drainage, will also be an acceptable option, however, in this case, watering will be fraught with some difficulties. For example, it is easier to control the level of humidity if there are drainage holes and a tray where excess water flows.
4. Smoothness. In order not to accidentally damage the rhizome of an orchid, it is highly desirable to use containers with a smooth inner surface for planting and transplanting.
5. Transparency. Experienced gardeners are calling for the use of transparent pots. This format of the flowerpot, together with holes on the sides, will allow better development of the rhizome. This advice is very desirable, but you can do with an opaque container.

How to choose the right pot

There are several suitable types of flowerpots for growing orchids. Among the acceptable options are glass, plastic, clay and ceramic. Each of them has both advantages and disadvantages.

Did you know? An oriental drink called salep is made by their orchid tubers, belonging to the Orchid family.

Glass

Glass vase for orchids is one of the most beautiful types of containers. In this type of capacity, it is quite possible to grow an orchid, however, for this you need to have experience in growing domestic flowers. Due to the characteristics of the material, growing in a glass container with inept care can cause root decay and death of the plant.

• Among the advantages of glass products are the following:
• attractive appearance;
• glass pots are most often transparent, which is important for orchids with their photophilous root system.

• However, flower growers distinguish even more minuses of such containers:
• the inability to independently make holes for drainage on the sides;
• fragility of the material;
• limitation of oxygen access to the roots.

Plastic

Their plastic flower pots are the most popular choice for orchid cultivation. On sale are such flowerpots in different color variations and shapes. They are suspended and stationary, with high and low walls, transparent, multi-colored and decorated.

• This option has a lot of advantages:
• ease of operation;
• maintaining a stable soil temperature;
• lack of ability to break such a container;
• most often on the bottom and sides there are already the necessary holes;
• if there are no side holes, they can easily be done independently using a hot metal object (instructions for manufacturing are given below);
• ease of transplantation, which can be done by cutting the container and without damaging the roots of the plant during the transfer;
• low cost;
• plastic containers are predominantly made in a transparent form.

Separately, it is worth describing transparent plastic containers. For the root system of orchids, it is very important not only to saturate with oxygen, but also to obtain sufficient lighting. This requirement can be met without problems using a transparent pot in flower growing.

• The disadvantages of plastic containers relative to the advantages are insignificant:
• fairly simple appearance;
• the need to make side holes, if they are not provided by the design.

Clay

Clay pots are less popular than plastic, but they are also an acceptable option for orchids. On sale you can find species with already done side holes - often in this case they look like baskets with holes between the weaves.

Important! If it was decided to buy a clay container, it is better to pay attention to special containers with side openings and glazed walls. This option is almost harmless to the flower.

• Among their advantages, flower growers distinguish:
• naturalness of the material;
• aesthetics;
• long-term conservation of soil temperature.

• The disadvantages of clay products are as follows:
• not smooth inner surface, which can contribute to damage to the roots and their growth into the walls;
• the substrate can dry out quickly;
• lack of transparent options;
• difficulties with making holes on the sides if they are not initially in the container.

Ceramic

Another option is a ceramic container. Such containers may take a variety of forms. On sale there are ceramic bowls, small pots and containers with high sides.

• Among the advantages of this option can be identified:
• the severity of the material does not allow heavy specimens of orchids to bow and fall;
• porosity makes it possible to saturate the roots with air.

• There are also some disadvantages:
• rapid drying of the substrate;
• ceramics almost always break when dropped;
• rooting into the walls of the pot is possible;
• such containers are always opaque;
• lack of side holes and the inability to do them yourself.

How to make a pot for orchids with your own hands

From an ordinary plastic container, you can independently make a special container with side openings. To work, you will need a minimum number of tools that can be found in any home.

Materials and tools for work

To create a DIY pot designed specifically for orchids, you will need:

• a simple plastic pot, can be through;
• pliers;
• long metal tool with a shaft;
• knife.

Important! The hole pattern does not matter much, however, for better breathability, it is advisable to make 3-4 holes in a row vertically.

Step-by-step manufacturing instructions

To create a container for growing orchids from a simple pot, you must follow these instructions:

1. To heat a metal rod on a stove.
2. Take the device with pliers.
3. While the rod is hot, make holes in the side of the pot.
4. Constantly heating a metal object, make holes at a distance of several centimeters from each other over the entire diameter and height of the pot.
5. Cut off excess plastic with a knife.

Video: making an orchid pot

How to care for potted orchids

Growing orchids in a pot requires proper care of the flower. Timely watering is important. Orchids are watered abundantly and after that they allow water to drain through the drainage holes. Prevent stagnation of water in the pot is highly undesirable.

Experienced flower growers give preference to transparent plastic containers. If this option was chosen, you need to understand how to use this characteristic when growing. The transparency of the walls will help to monitor the roots and pay attention to their unhealthy state, for example, rotting. In such cases, it is necessary to take measures to treat the plant as soon as possible.

It is also necessary to conduct periodic transplants. This is important for roots that grow very much and do not fit in the old container. The container for transplantation is chosen several centimeters larger in diameter than the previous one.

The choice of pots for orchids is large enough and each grower can choose for himself a suitable option, weighing the pros and cons. Whatever type of container is chosen, it is important to adhere to the rules for caring for the plant, which will allow it to conduct healthy life activities and delight owners with beautiful flowering.