Potting question

[Tobi]

Is there any rule of thumb as to the depth of the container you are repotting
your orchid into? Is it based on the root size or type of root? I have heard
mixed opinions on this

[jerrymeola]

Too deep a pot will stay wet too long.

I use different types for different orchids but generally stay with 4 inch pots 3-4 inches deep, 6 inch x 5, 8 x 6 and 10 x 7. I like slit cut pots for the air ventilation and these are the sizes made.

[Tobi]

Thanks Jerry. That's what I thought. But what about Phals & Paphs that enjoy
the moisture. Does it hurt them to be in a deeper pot?

[kmarch]

Tobi,

I grow most all of my Paph hybrids in conventional plastic pots only just large enough to comfortably accommodate the roots. Over potting for Paphs leads to being too wet and to root rot. If you could see my collection it would look like many of my Paphs are in pots that are too small. Since, in the wild, many Paphs grow in shallow pockets of leaf litter on rocky cliffs, I am inclined to think deep pots are not preferable for Paphs.

Now for Phrags, I try to get tall, narrow rose pots. I currently have some I'm using for Phrags that are only 3.5 inches wide but 7 inches deep. The Phrag roots really seem to like this and they grow good root masses.

[Tobi]

Thanks for the info Kevin. Interesting about the Phrags. Good to know if I add
one to my collection.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Most orchids are not like the Phrags and need short pots, azalia pots are good, and if the plants start to form into specimin plants, you don't want to go deeper than normal, so then you would move up to bulb pans to keep the depth not to deep. The other plants that I can think of that do well in a small but deep and narrow pots are the Chinese miniature Cymbidiums, but these and the Phrags are exceptions.

[Tobi]

Thank you Cynthia, I appreciate the information

[kmarch]

Yes, thanks for clarifying Cynthia. I was only suggesting the deep pots for Phrags. My Paphs I plant in normal pots as I believe they benefit from shallower conditions given their habitat. I'd like to try some Paphs in really shallow pots, we'll see what happens.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

My azalia pots only go down to 4". Everything smaller than that are in standard pots. I think, since I under pot quite a bit, that most of my Paphs, not the big multiflorals, but the mottled leaf ones, are usually in 3.5" or less standard pots.

If the only pot I have is too deep, I fill the bottom with a couple of inches of packing peanuts and/or ceramic pellets or diatomite to add a bit of weight. This allows added air to reach the lower roots.