The orchid is a rather whimsical plant, during the care of which it is necessary to follow certain rules. One of the nuances of proper care is the choice of the tank in which you will contain the plant.
Did you know? Most often at home contain orchids, epiphytes. These are plants that do not need soil, grow on other plants, getting the necessary substances and moisture from the environment.
Features of growing orchids, why it is so important to choose the right capacity for planting
An orchid pot is not just a way to highlight the beauty of a plant with a decorative element. The root system of orchids is designed in such a way that it does not need soil.
The plant grows on a special substrate. Watering is done so that the plant absorbs as much moisture as he needs, and the excess must be removed. It is also necessary to ensure that the roots of the orchid optimal air flow.
In some species of orchids, roots are involved in photosynthesis, therefore, this fact answers the question of whether it is possible to plant an orchid in an opaque pot.
It is better not to do this and for the reason, to always see the state of the roots and the substrate, tracking negative changes faster.
The temperature regime is important for the root system of an orchid in a pot, and it can also be regulated by the material of the selected container.
The correct orchid pot should have the following qualities:
- A large number of holes for removal of excess moisture
- Small size
- Side holes for aeration
- The smoothness of the inside for the safety of the roots
Types of orchid pots, how to choose a container material
In order to understand which pot is needed for an orchid, you need to consider their types.
Most often for indoor orchids use containers from the following materials:
- plastic
- ceramics
- glass
- clay
These can be plastic transparent and opaque pots, ceramic or clay pots for orchids, glass pots and pots, drinking pots and even wicker hanging baskets.The main thing when choosing which pot is best for orchids is to take into account the characteristics and needs of this plant. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the properties of the materials from which the pots are made.
Pros and cons of a plastic pot
When choosing which pot the orchid should grow in, most often the lovers of this plant tend to plastic.
Often, a plastic pot is made with several openings, which is very important for an orchid, because it allows it to leave excess moisture without damaging the roots.
In addition, if the holes are still not enough, or you want to increase the access of air to the roots, you can easily make new holes in the plastic container. To do this, you can use a strongly heated metal object, for example, a large nail.
Important! A plastic pot retains well the temperature regime of the roots, protecting them from both overheating and overcooling.
An important advantage of plastic containers for orchids is their transparency. In such a pot, you can always notice the error of watering, whether it is drying the substrate or root rot.
In addition, the roots of some orchid species are involved in photosynthesis. Transparency of the pot will allow to observe the development of the root system. And if you, having noticed that the roots have already grown too much and start to go out through the holes, you want to transplant the plant, then without damaging the roots, you can cut the plastic with kitchen scissors and release the plant.
Plastic pots are quite diverse in shape and color, which will allow you to choose a suitable pot to the interior and to the orchid itself.
Glass containers
Glass pots for orchids satisfy the need of roots for a large amount of light, but their decorative properties can be called the main advantage. But the use of such containers is appropriate only with a lot of experience in the care of fastidious orchids.
The fact is that due to the lack of the required number of drainage holes, it is very easy to create an excess of moisture for the roots, which will lead to their rotting and death of the orchid. In addition, an orchid in a glass pot will receive little air, which will cause algae to appear on the inner walls of the pot. New holes in the same glass will not succeed. 
If you still choose a glass pot, then take care of a large amount of drainage, the correct substrate. Or put a plastic pot with an orchid inside the selected glass container.
Ceramic pots
Ceramic pots are well breathable due to its porous structure, but the moisture, evenly distributed inside the tank, can quickly evaporate, especially in hot weather. Therefore, the mode of watering when using this pot must be selected very carefully.
Did you know? The advantage of a ceramic pot is its gravity, which will not allow the orchid to fall even with its high growth and heavy weight.
Among the disadvantages of these containers, it can be noted that over time, the root system of an orchid grows into the porous surface of the pot, which will negatively affect the transplant or reproduction of the plant. There is a risk of damaging the roots, freeing the orchid.
Over time, salts that penetrate with irrigation accumulate on the ceramic surface, reducing porosity, thereby depriving ceramics of the advantages of air permeability. In addition, the accumulated on the inside of the pot salt will negatively affect the roots of the orchid.
Advantages and disadvantages of clay pots
Clay pots can also be used for orchids, however it is important to know what they should be.
Modern manufacturers offer pots made of clay especially for orchids - with a large number of side holes, made in the form of wicker baskets. Of course, it is necessary to give preference to this kind of pot, and not with one hole, through which all the excess moisture can not escape.
The roughness of the clay inside the pot, as in the case of ceramics, will lead to the ingrowth of the roots in the walls of the container and to the rapid drying of the substrate and the roots. To avoid this, you need to choose glazed clay pots - their surface is smoother.
Clay keeps the temperature for a long time, it should also be considered, not allowing overheating or overcooling of the orchid root system.
Before planting a plant in such a pot it can be dipped in water for several hours. This will allow the pot to soak in water, which he will later give to the roots of the orchid. If you want to decontaminate such a pot, then you need to put it before soaking in the oven for 2 hours at a temperature of about 200 ° C.
Important! Ceramic and clay pots are better to choose light colors, this will help to prevent overheating of the orchid's roots when exposed to direct sunlight in the warm season.
Watering pot for growing orchids
If you first come across how to properly care for a new plant, then you can ask at a specialty store, what kind of pots are needed for orchids. And in this case, the seller may advise the pot-drinking bowl.
Although this container is also called an orchid woman, it is better to use it only for watering. And in the store it is still better to clarify what you are looking for, in which pot you just need to plant an orchid.
Drinking bowls come in different colors and textures, so they can be used to decorate a plastic pot with an orchid. However, it is worth remembering that after watering it is necessary to pour out the remnants of water that the plant did not need, otherwise the orchid roots will rot quickly.
How to calculate the size of the pot
Once you have decided on the material from which the pots are made for your orchids, it is worth figuring out if you need a large orchid pot.
The root system of an orchid is designed in such a way that it is comfortable for a plant in a close pot.
Therefore, the main criteria when choosing the size of the container will be the following:
- the height must be equal to the width of the neck of the pot
- the root volume must match the capacity
- when transplanting, the size of the orchid pot should be only slightly larger.
- If you want to keep two orchids in one container together, then, accordingly, the volume of the pot should also be increased according to the volume of the roots of the plants.
Orchid is a very beautiful and interesting plant, which, due to its exoticism, requires special care.
In nature, these plants can live on trees and even on stones, so it is so important to know how to choose an orchid pot in order to preserve its best properties for a long time.
