Selection and Use of Orchid Pots and Tools

When choosing orchid pots, clay pots are best, as they make it easy for the plant to multiply; purple-sand pots come next; porcelain pots are not good for multiplying but are suitable for display (see figure). Flower growers advocate a close match among flower, pot and stand, so that the display looks more beautiful, and this is exactly the reasoning. Therefore, according toorchid growingneeds, you can decide for yourself when potting; if necessary, a saucer can also be placed under the bottom of the pot, which can both keep the flower stand tidy and keep the pot moist. As for the depth of the pot, it should be deep rather than shallow. Depth suits the orchid roots' need to extend straight down, allowing them to spread out, and it can also keep the potting soil from drying out completely even when dry, and from freezing all the way to the bottom; a shallow pot easily gives rise to the above drawbacks. As for the size of the pot, it should be determined by the size of the orchid. Never put a large plant in a small pot or a small plant in a large pot; this point is very important. People often think a larger pot is better, but this is not right. The size must be appropriate. If the pot is too large, the roots rot easily; if too small, it is hard for the plant to multiply. Using the right pot can keep the orchid pot moist, and new shoots will emerge quickly. Therefore, by all means plant first in a small pot, and after it grows, change to a larger pot. Also note that for new flowers it is best to use a new pot with old soil, and for old flowers an old pot with new soil. Some people have proposed four requirements fororchidpots, namely one elegant, two tall (deep), three wide (that is, a flared lip shape), and four permeable (clay pots are best), which is quite reasonable. Tools (see figure) Pointed scissors, for trimming roots and leaves. A sharp knife, 15 cm long and about 2 cm wide, specially for dividing orchid rhizome clusters. Two to three coarse and fine sieves, with mesh sizes that can sift mung beans, sesame seeds and fine soil; the area can be decided by yourself, and they can be made of bamboo skewers or galvanized wire. One watering can, 30 cm high, 20 cm in diameter, with a 6 cm neck for water intake and 1.5 cm for water output, and a showerhead shaped like a lotus seedpod, with holes that must be fine. One sprayer. One small palm brush; if homemade, pig bristles or fine palm fiber can be nailed onto sheet lead or a bamboo strip, with the palm fiber 2 cm long, the brush 2 cm wide and 3 cm thick. It is used to scrub orchid roots. One small towel or sponge each, for washing orchid plant leaves. Several earthen jars or vats, used to make liquid fertilizer. The above orchid pots, hard planting materials and tools generally all need to be noted for being washed clean, sun-dried and disinfected. For example, orchid pots, whether new or old, must be cleaned and sun-dried. New pots should be soaked in water for several days to remove their dryness; old pots should be scraped clean with a bamboo broom or palm broom, sun-dried and air-dried. Dirty pots and wet pots are a great harm in growing orchids: they not only facilitate the spread of disease pathogens but also block air circulation, and must not be treated lightly.