Guest Author - Karen Stewart

Most orchids that you purchase will be potted up in plastic containers. Eventually, your plants will need repotting and then you have a few decisions to make. Pots also make great gifts for the orchid lover on your shopping list.

Plastic pots come in many sizes in round or square shapes. I like to use translucent square pots for my Phalaenopsis and Cattleyas so I can tell at a glance when they need watering. One type of plastic pot is called an "azalea" pot. These containers are not as tall as they are wide. Because the potting media is not as deep, there is less chance of water standing in the bottom of the pot and damaging the root system. Plastic pots are usually recommended for hobbyists that don't like to water that often. Plants in plastic containers will not dry out as fast as those in baskets or clay pots. Plastic pots are easy to clean and sterilize for reuse. They are lightweight, which is a definite advantage if you are shipping plants or seedlings.

Clay pots also come in a variety of sizes and fancy designs. Unglazed clay will dry out much faster than plastic, especially when growing orchids outdoors. These pots work well for growers that have a tendency to overwater their plants. Water evaporates from all sides of the pot and helps improve air circulation in the root area. One specialized brand of clay pots have many drain holes on the sides of the pot and grooves molded into the inside surface. These grooves make it easier to break the pot apart without damaging the roots when it is time to repot and the roots are clinging to the clay surface.

Special orchid pots with larger drainage slots are often available. Most standard clay pots have only one small hole in the bottom, so be sure that water can flow freely. Clay pots will often develop white stains from a buildup of fertilizer salts.

Slatted baskets are available in wood or plastic. You will often see Vandas in these containers, often with no potting media at all. Because the roots are more exposed, these containers require more frequent watering and misting.

One of my favorite specialty pots is a glazed ceramic pot that I bid on and won in an online auction at eBay. I used this container for a miniature cymbidium and it looks great. Chinese Cymbidiums are one plant that prefers a deep pot to contain is large root system. This pot has several extra drainage holes in the bottom and along the side of the container. Look around and you might be able to find an unusual pot for your latest orchid.