Clear plastic pots

[Pensacola Eric]

I enjoy potting my Phals in these and was just wondering if I can plant other types of orchids in these pots. I have dens, oncs, paphs, encyclias, etc. and was wondering if it was ok to pot these in clear plastic pots. I've read that Phals do well in them but not read anything about other types. Any types that would not do well in plastic pots? I like these pots becuase it is easy to see the roots, if they need water, possible problems, etc.

[arleneg]

Hi Pensacola Eric,

A few of my orchids (Paph, Onc, and Milt) are in clear plastic pots. Like you, I like that i can tell when to water, or not. So I'm gradually working on transferring my orchids in clear plastic pots.

[mayres]

There has been some concern expressed on this forum about algae forming on the inside of the pot surfaces - like you both I have a number in clear pots and so far have experienced no problems whatsoever - but I'm only into them a year or so.......

[Maddy]

I like them because I can see the condition of the roots at a glance.

[jerrymeola]

Orchids can certainly grow in clear pots. Most growers avoid them because they deteriorate faster than the green ones in sunlight. That should not be a big concern for you.

I am not concerned about algae in the pots. If you grow in Florida, Hawaii or other semi tropical environment, we have algae on all our orchids. I have pots with thick moss coverings and many with ferns growing out of the same pot. I do not understand why some people think it is harmful.

[Pensacola Eric]

Thanks for the responses. I didn't want to start converting some of them to clear pots and then run into a problem.

If you notice too much algae, back off the nitrogen for a while.