| I started growing a couple catts in semi-hydro using the clay balls. I think I tend to overwater my catts in bark. The catts in the clay balls do much better for me. I have a couple orchid pots with opennings on the side. I plugged the hole in the bottom of the pots, then filled with clay balls making sure place them carefully around the roots. When I water them, the water stays in the bottom inch below the holes in the side of the pots. That serves as a water reservoir for the balls above.
Then I saw a photo, I think Jerry's, of an orchid in a clear glass pot with clay balls. It occured to me that the clear glass would be good for keeping an eye on the roots. I found a couple square glass potpouri containers that were 4 inches wide at the top. I planted 2 catts in the clay balls. One of them was happy and growing new roots. The other had been attacked by my cat (the four legged, furry kind) and the roots were chewed off. Then, I put water in so I could see it in the bottom of the glass container. It's easy to see when they're dry when the pot is clear. So, I let them dry out, then put in more water until I see some pooling in the bottom of the pot. There are no holes in the side of the glass pots, but the clay balls allow in enough air. And more importantly for me, I can see when the water is gone and the balls have dried out. Both catts in the clear glass pots are doing well. The catt that suffered the cat attack is starting to grow new roots!
I water the orchids in the glass containers about half as often as the orchids in the pots with holes in the sides. I found the glass potpouri containers at WalMart for less than $2 each. They have tapered walls, so I should be able to easily remove the plants and clay balls when they need to be repotted.
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DonkeyMom
West Virginia
Equine/Canine Therapeutic Massage Therapist
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