forced air into containers

[Johnny B]

Ok, so I thought of this idea the other day. Not all the containers I grow my chids in have good air circulation. Some of them are terra cotta with nothing more than a hole in the bottom. I had the idea the other day when I was looking at a fish tanks bubbler. What if for a period each day there was air run into the potting medium of plants, would this aid the natural air circulation process that orchids crave? Maybe I am making this all to complex. Would I be better off to just use a potting medium that is much less compact and drains/ dries out quicker? Thanks for your response.

Sincerely,

Johnny B

[Daethen]

I think a more open mix would work just as well and be a lot more simple and less time consuming. I use a lot of terra cotta pots and have no trouble with them causing root rot. I mostly use a larger bark mix.

[Leafmite]

Plastic net pots combined with a large medium or placing the orchid on a mount work very well for those orchids which require good airflow. Some put a small net pot upside down inside a larger pot to create airspace. Foam peanuts and large chunks of rock in the bottom and middle can also help with airflow. Forcing air is a neat idea but it would be complicated to impliment adequately.
Leafmite

[Johnny B]

I have not found anyone around here that sells the terra cotta orchid pots. I guess I will have to get off my butt and make my own. I have seen the clay mounts for orchids. Has anyone ever used these? SwampStick Ceramic Orchid Mount - Home I have thought about making something similar to these too.

[Dendian]

Yes, I am using them for my mini-catts.

http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/cat...ans-sophy.html

They work very well - my orchids are enjoying them!

[Daethen]

I don't use the clay orchid pots, just the plain clay pots.

[katrina]

Originally Posted by Johnny B

Some of them are terra cotta with nothing more than a hole in the bottom.

As long as the pot is not glazed, there will be air exchange through the clay. I sometimes use the regular clay pots...I don't like them as well because of the deeper dimensions but I use p'nuts, lava rock, or some other inert material in the bottom to take up space. Works just fine.

Also...drilling holes into the sides of the regular clay pots isn't difficult. My husband has done several for me when I needed to accommodate a deep rooted orchid but I wanted additional air flow.

[lifeisgood]

My Lowes carries clay orchid pots....not sure if you are near one.

[jpyerry]

I have seen slotted terra cotta pots at Home Depot, at least one or two different sizes. Not a huge selection but not a bad start.

[Johnny B]

I think im just going to stop being lazy and make my own. I think if I make the wall thickness thinner when throwing them on the wheel that would help too. I guess its a good excuse to make something with clay and get my hands dirty

[Johnny B]

I saw these clay mounts one time on ebay, they were nothing more then a clay slab that had really good surface texture and what I would say a slightly wavy appearance. Im sure they would work good. They would certainly need water every day, or be set up with a misting system. I may have a project brewing in my head. I will keep you geeks posted.

[RebelCowgirl]

I love new projects, keep us posted.

[orchids4me]

My local home depot carries the clay orchid pots. They are kept on shelves in the outside plant area on the by the other clay pots and the orchid bark they sell is to the right of them also. I don't use that bark anymore though, I get my bark at the nursery....