Orchid planters are used to grow plants that beautify your garden. Orchids are beautiful and delicate flowers that can be quite hard to care for. They require a lot of attention and different types of planters to thrive.
These plants need a potting medium (or soil) with great drainage. To determine which planter is best for your orchid, consider the type of orchid you have and the size of your orchid pot. Here we will explore three different types of orchid planters: plastic, clay, and glass pots.
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A Brief History of Orchids
The term orchid comes from the Greek word ὄρχις, meaning “testicle”. This is because the shape of the roots resembles that of a testicle. Orchids are native to tropical regions, including South America and Africa. The first recorded mention of orchids was in Ancient Greece when Theophrastus described them as grasses with fanciful shapes.
Through the ages, people have come to admire their beauty and various colors. They were traded across Europe and Asia, where they became more popular than ever before. In 1881 an American botanist named Charles Wright discovered a new orchid species in Borneo and named it Angraecum sesquipedale for its long spur – an extension on the column that holds nectar – which measures one foot long.
Today, there are over 20 000 types of orchids with different flower shapes and sizes that range from miniature to giant.
Types of Orchid Planters
Clay Orchid Planters
Clay pots are porous and allow the plant to breathe better than glass or plastic pots. Clay pots also provide more drainage than glass and polypropylene pots, which means your orchid will be able to stay healthy longer without needing water.
However, the clay potting medium does not drain as well as other mediums like perlite and bark chips. This means that you will need to water your orchid more often depending on its size and humidity level in your home. Clay pots also require a lot of upkeep such as cleaning, fertilizing, watering, etc., which can become time-consuming for some people.
Although clay pots are not the most visually appealing, they do provide excellent moisture retention. They are perfect for orchids that require lots of water.
Plastic Orchid Planters
A plastic orchid planter pot is great for those that live in a humid area as it doesn’t retain water as clay pots do. These pots are lightweight and won’t cause your plant to become top-heavy. It also helps to keep the roots cool and moist.
Plastic is a good choice for those looking to spend less money. Depending on the type of orchid you have, you may need to buy new planters every year as many plastic ones can’t be reused. Plastic orchid planters don’t break as easily as clay and glass pots do, so they can be safer for kids.
Plastic pots come with holes at the bottom and should be filled with orchid bark (or any other type of orchid potting medium) and sphagnum moss on the surface. This provides a little drainage, but not as much as a clay pot would offer. Plastic orchid planters can be found at most garden stores and often come in different shapes and sizes.
Terracotta planters
Terracotta planters are the most popular orchid planter. These are types of pots that are made of clay and fired brick. They hold moisture well and can be used for a wide variety of plants. These pots work well for orchids with small to medium size pots (2-5 inches in diameter). Terracotta pots come in a variety of different shapes, but typically need to be watered more often than plastic and glass pots because they don’t have such great drainage. One problem that may arise with terracotta is that algae may grow on the surface over time.
Glass planters
Many orchid growers use glass planters because they require less care, but they also have a few drawbacks. Glass planters are heavier and chemical resistant which means you don’t have to worry about the chemicals in your potting medium leaching into your plant and harming them. The downside to these pots is that it’s harder to see what is going on with the roots of the plant because there is no hole at the bottom.
If you choose a glass planter, be sure to place it on a saucer or tray so water doesn’t leak out and create a mess. You can purchase a glass pot with a hole in the bottom for watering purposes; however, we would recommend this for plants that don’t require as much care as an orchid does.
Which orchid planter is the best?
Orchids can be planted in three different types of planters: plastic, clay, or glass. The best type of orchid planter for your orchid depends on your preferences. Here is a comparison of the three types to help you make your decision.
- Plastic pots are an attractive option because they are inexpensive and lightweight. However, these pots don’t provide good drainage because the pot is made of plastic. They also need to sit in water for 20 minutes before putting the plant in it to keep the roots wet. Plastic planters may be best for those who live in dry climates or those who live close enough to water their plants often.
- Clay potting medium is known as an excellent potting mixture for houseplants because it has great drainage and aeration capabilities. The downside to clay pots is that they require more maintenance than other materials and aren’t as durable as other options. You can’t move them without damaging them and they’re heavy when wet which makes them difficult to move around if you want to water your plant outside.
Conclusion
Orchids are one of the most popular plants to grow. But, if you are looking for the best type of orchid planter, there are many things to consider.
Are you looking for a planter that is easy to maintain? Do you want to use an attractive orchid planter? Is the planter made out of a material that can handle high humidity? Are you looking for a cost-effective planter? There are many questions to think about when looking for the best orchid planter. The best type of orchid planter for you will depend on what you are looking for.
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