Help the development of the site, sharing the article with friends!
The orchid comes from a habitat that is unusual for Central Europe. In order to let them thrive just as magnificently in local areas, they also place high demands on their cachepot. What this looks like and what conditions it should meet can be found out from the plant expert.
planter
Not every cachepot is suitable for optimal orchid care. The rainforest flower with the botanical name Orchidaceae has so-called aerial roots, which need light so that photosynthesis can take place. Therefore, these plants are ideally planted in a transparent culture pot. However, these leave the aerial roots freely visible, which disturbs the noble overall appearance of this graceful plant. Nowadays, the solution is offered by special cover pots that meet the high requirements of orchids and harmonize perfectly with the plant's aesthetics.
main criteria
Orchids are naturally used to a warm, humid micro-climate and thrive best that way. For this reason, a cachepot should be designed in such a way that it can create this climate. This is achieved by a water reservoir from which moisture continuously rises. This should not only keep the soil moist, but also be able to rise to the leaves and flowers. This requires a correspondingly large distance between the culture pot and the cachepot. The orchid cachepot must also be large enough because of the incidence of light. The challenge to achieve the necessary moisture is to avoid waterlogging. This distinguishes the Orchidaceae planter from conventional ones.
Cachepot properties at a glance:
- Planter size at least twice the size of the clear grow pot
- enough space for excess water
- The cachepot must not have a hole in the bottom or it must have a saucer
- sufficient distance between culture pot and water reservoir
Exception, there are two types of orchids that do not require a special planter:
- Orchidaceae Phalaenopsis
- Moth Orchid
The Orchidaceae Phalaenopsis is one of the most popular and widespread orchid species in Central Europe. They and the moth species have fewer demands on the soil climate and thrive in a conventional planter just as well as all other varieties with a warm, humid micro-climate requirement. The prerequisite, however, is that a high-quality, airy substrate is used.
material
Orchid pots are available in different materials, most of which also have different properties. In addition, the material usually mainly determines the overall look, leaving orchid lovers enough room for personal taste or an adjustment to the furnishing/decoration style of the home.
volume
clay cachepots
Contrary to popular belief, a pot made of clay is very suitable for orchids. The porous structure helps to regulate the water balance, also stores excess water and releases it again through evaporation. This is very advantageous, especially for rising moisture in the direction of leaves and flowers.
plastic
plastic pots
Plastic pots are very common and are primarily bought for window sills. They usually have holes in the bottom and stand on a saucer that catches excess water. The advantage of plastic pots is that, if necessary, further holes in the bottom can easily be drilled into the material without damaging the pot. In addition, a plastic pot makes it easier to remove plants when repotting thanks to the flexibly movable side walls.
For newcomers to keeping orchids, we recommend a transparent plastic planter that allows you to look inside. In this way, diseases, too much water or pests can be detected much more easily and quickly.
pot types
In addition to conventional round, square and polygonal pots, other types of pots are more advantageous for some genera from the orchid family.
baskets
Tall species such as Dendrobium or Cattleya are usually sensitive to moisture at the roots. Here it is important that the roots can dry well after watering. A plant basket, such as that used for pond plants, is best suited for this. It is made of plastic and has rods or braids that are further apart. In this more air comes inside and the soil moisture in the root area can penetrate better to the outside.
hanging pots
In the case of an Orchidaceae with a hanging growth form, such as those found in Coryanthes, Stanhopea and Brassia, a so-called traffic light pot or a special hanging basket is recommended so that the orchid plants can develop freely downwards. Of course, these types of pots should meet the necessary conditions to be able to simulate the necessary humid and warm tropical climate.
orchid pots
orchitope
An orchitop is a planter specially developed for orchids, which does not have completely closed walls, but consists of sticks lined up next to each other. The distances and bar thicknesses are chosen so that sufficient light and air can get into the pot from the outside. Nevertheless, the rods are so close together that the aerial roots are not visible from the outside. The special construction prevents the orchid soil from falling out of the pot. The Orchitop is made of transparent, milky plastic in ten different colors.
Excess water is caught by a coaster filled with expanded clay. In this way, waterlogging is avoided, but a humid micro-climate is still created, as the Orchidaceae are used to from rain forest zones. The Orchitop is also available in a box shape for several plants, which can be placed next to each other. Round versions with a diameter of 13 centimeters cost around 10 to 14 euros.
Ceramic special planter
Another version for an ideal orchid pot is a special ceramic cachepot, such as the one offered handcrafted from clay from Oberlausitz. The functional principle is similar to an orchitop, so that a simulation of a warm, humid micro-climate is also guaranteed here.
Instead of sticks lined up next to each other, the special ceramic planter has holes in the walls through which air and light can penetrate, but leave the roots inside invisible. As a handmade product and ideal functionality in high quality, it is priced in the higher segment. For this version, a purchase price of around 70 euros for a 15.5 centimeter diameter including a matching coaster can be expected.
Cheap ceramic orchid pots
Hardly distinguishable from a conventional flower pot, the ceramic pots are specially designed to meet the needs of orchids in a round shape. The functional principle is simple. An approximately 40 millimeter high pedestal is integrated in the center of the cachepot, on which the culture pot stands. Excess water flows down the pedestal sides into the closed bottom area where it is well clear of the roots.
This type of pot is one of the classics and with a price of usually less than four euros for a 14 centimeter diameter pot, it is one of the cheapest offers.
Dehner ceramic orchid pot
The Dehner company offers a variety of orchid pots, mainly made of ceramic. A highlight is the model in stone form, which radiates extravagance and brings a little more natural look into the rooms. The functional advantage here is that the longer bottom area collects more water and in this way a humid tropical climate can be created for longer than is the case with conventional pot shapes. This special ceramic version is priced at around 35 euros for a "stone pot" with a length of 38 centimeters and a height of 12 centimeters.
glass planter
A visual highlight are marbled glass cachepots in a wide variety of colors, such as those offered by the company LOTEX. These have an integrated spacer for the distance between the culture pot and the cachepot, so that sufficient moisture can escape upwards. Daylight penetrates through the glass and the view of the roots inside the pot does not appear disharmonious due to the marble design. The prices are more in the lower price segment.
Orchid Vase
The noble orchid plant looks very modern in a vase, such as that developed and patented by the Swiss company Schubinger. This is a so-called climate vase, which fulfills the same requirements as an orchid pot. However, thanks to the new technology, a substrate is no longer required, which has the advantage of avoiding rot, which often occurs when the soil is too wet. The nutrient requirement is covered by inserting charcoal. The functional principle is based purely on water and its evaporation. The climate vase for the orchid is available with a diameter of 16 centimeters from 28 euros.