Orchids will grow in almost any type of container, but for practical purposes they are usually cultivated in plastic pots, which are light and easy to use. They also stay dean in a humid environment and can be washed and reused. Terracotta pots are also suitable - and were once considered preferable to plastic pots because they kept the roots cooler in high temperatures - but they are costly and the larger sizes can be considerably heavy. Also, being porous, they dry out much more quickly, and it is easier to maintain a constantly moist compost (growing medium) with plastic pots.
These materials include Rockwool, which is produced for the horticultural industry from spun volcanic pumice. Rockwool looks like discoloured cotton wool, and the surface is sometimes stained green with an algae that grows in response to the nutrients.
Compost that has deteriorated will have dissolved into small particles; these will wash through to the bottom of the pot, clog up the drainage and cause water to stagnate, thus speeding up the whole process of decomposition. Insect pests, such as woodlice, will also break down compost (growing medium) and can cause rapid deterioration.
Once the compost has broken down in this way, the roots cannot thrive and will quickly die. Speedy repotting is essential. First cut away all the dead roots and remove all the old compost, then replace it with fresh material throughout. Roots that can be seen to circle the rim of the pot without penetrating to the bottom indicate that the compost (growing medium) is unsuitable.
The best time for repotting is in the spring, but not if a plant is in flower. Most orchids commence their new growth at this time, and the ideal moment to repot is when the new growth is a few inches high. This is just before the formation of the new roots, which always appear after the new growth. When the new roots start to grow, they will immediately penetrate the fresh compost (growing medium), which eliminates any danger of damaging them. The next best time to repot is in autumn. This suits many cattleyas, which can often produce new roots at this time, as well as young seedlings, which need to be kept growing forward throughout the winter.
These orchids particularly like a loose, open compost where their roots can breathe. Most composts (growing mediums) are supplied in a dried state to lessen their weight, but they need to be moistened before they are used. Remove just enough compost from the bag to serve your purposes, and water well, leaving it overnight to drain.
The next day it will feel just right to work with. Do not return any unused damp compost to the bag, but leave it to dry out first. If it is returned to the bag while it is still wet, it will produce a mould, which will spread to the rest of the contents of the bag, Always store orchid compost dry.
This Cymbidium Mini Ice Antarctic' looks striking in a square galvanized container. Where space is limited, this smaller-growing hybrid is ideal and will provide plenty of flowen during the early spring months. Keep the plant watered all year, and apply feed during most of the year.
These materials include Rockwool, which is produced for the horticultural industry from spun volcanic pumice. Rockwool looks like discoloured cotton wool, and the surface is sometimes stained green with an algae that grows in response to the nutrients.
Compost that has deteriorated will have dissolved into small particles; these will wash through to the bottom of the pot, clog up the drainage and cause water to stagnate, thus speeding up the whole process of decomposition. Insect pests, such as woodlice, will also break down compost (growing medium) and can cause rapid deterioration.
Once the compost has broken down in this way, the roots cannot thrive and will quickly die. Speedy repotting is essential. First cut away all the dead roots and remove all the old compost, then replace it with fresh material throughout. Roots that can be seen to circle the rim of the pot without penetrating to the bottom indicate that the compost (growing medium) is unsuitable.
The best time for repotting is in the spring, but not if a plant is in flower. Most orchids commence their new growth at this time, and the ideal moment to repot is when the new growth is a few inches high. This is just before the formation of the new roots, which always appear after the new growth. When the new roots start to grow, they will immediately penetrate the fresh compost (growing medium), which eliminates any danger of damaging them. The next best time to repot is in autumn. This suits many cattleyas, which can often produce new roots at this time, as well as young seedlings, which need to be kept growing forward throughout the winter.
These orchids particularly like a loose, open compost where their roots can breathe. Most composts (growing mediums) are supplied in a dried state to lessen their weight, but they need to be moistened before they are used. Remove just enough compost from the bag to serve your purposes, and water well, leaving it overnight to drain.
The next day it will feel just right to work with. Do not return any unused damp compost to the bag, but leave it to dry out first. If it is returned to the bag while it is still wet, it will produce a mould, which will spread to the rest of the contents of the bag, Always store orchid compost dry.
This Cymbidium Mini Ice Antarctic' looks striking in a square galvanized container. Where space is limited, this smaller-growing hybrid is ideal and will provide plenty of flowen during the early spring months. Keep the plant watered all year, and apply feed during most of the year.
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