How to choose a pot for orchids: not all pots will suit the capricious flower

The orchid we love to grow at home belongs to a rather unusual type of plant. In science, they are known as epiphytes. In the wild, such plants do not take root in the soil, but cling to trees with their roots and climb up them, getting most of their water and nutrients from the air. This is the reason why domestic orchids need rather atypical pots.

As OBOZ.UA has found out, a transparent plastic pot will be an ideal choice for a flower. It will allow you to properly monitor the condition of the flower's roots.

However, experts in home floriculture say that a clay container is also good if it has a drainage hole (or preferably several) in the bottom. After all, the orchid does not tolerate even a little stagnation of water in the pot. Therefore, excess liquid must be able to flow out freely. The presence of holes or slots is also important for proper watering of the flower.

How to choose a pot for an orchid

First of all, consider buying a transparent plastic pot. This way, you can easily inspect the soil environment at any time and watch it dry out at all times. Transparent walls will also allow you to closely monitor the condition of the roots - checking them for pests or rot, and not missing the moment when they become cramped.

If you still want to buy a clay pot, choose the option without watering. It allows air and moisture to pass through, which is so necessary for an orchid. And don't forget about the drainage holes.

How to choose a pot for transplanting an orchid

If it's time for your plant to move to a larger container, don't try to give it a lot more space right away. The diameter of the new pot should be only 2-3 centimeters larger than the previous one. Too much space in the container can lead to stagnant water and damage the roots of the orchid.

Do not worry about the great decorativeness of the orchid container. It should be functional first and foremost. If you still want to put the flower in something beautiful, consider buying a decorative planter. This way, you will get a beautiful container that fits into the interior and you will always be able to easily remove the flower from it along with the pot for watering or checking its condition.

Proper orchid transplantation

You can transplant a plant only during the dormant period when it has faded. Take the flower out of the old pot carefully so as not to damage the roots. If it is problematic to get it out, you can soak its roots for a few minutes - this will make it easier to get out.

After that, it is important to shake off any remaining substrate and inspect the condition of the root system. All rotten and damaged roots must be removed. Use only a sharp, disinfected tool for this, and treat the slices immediately with crushed activated carbon.

If the plant had to be repotted due to pests in the soil, the roots will need to be treated further. Determine the type of pest and use the appropriate specialty product for treatment.

In order to safely return the treated plant to its old pot, it must be disinfected. A new container will also benefit from this procedure.

Be sure to put a drainage layer on the bottom of the pot, and use only specialized soil. Universal mixtures and even mixtures for flowering plants are not suitable for orchids.

Place the flower in the center of the container and gently cover it with the substrate on the sides until it is firmly in place. But do not try to tamp down as much substrate as possible - this can damage the roots.

After repotting, water the orchid by immersion. Take the pot and place it in a large container with soft, settled or filtered water so that it flows over the top edge but does not cover the trunk and leaves. After 10-15 minutes, remove the pot and allow all excess moisture to drain out.

When the water stops dripping from the container, move the orchid to its usual place and provide it with optimal conditions - a large amount of diffused light and a temperature around 20 degrees Celsius.

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