orchidpots

Clay or Plastic: Potting your Orchid

Anyone growing plants in pots faces the question: Clay or plastic?

The truth of the matter is that with proper drainage, you can put orchids into any container that isn't toxic...and they'll do just fine. Clay (terra cotta) and plastic are simply the most commercially acceptable/available alternatives.

In large part the decision to choose one or the other is driven by aesthetics vs. practicality. Many people prefer the look of clay. It's natural and attractive. Plastic is (by definition I suppose) artificial.

I'll make it easy for you...use whatever you like. The plants don't care.

The KEY is that your care of the plant once it's potted will be different if you choose one or the other.

Drainage is ALL important. Roots of any plant in a pot should not continuously be in water. They will rot, with disastrous consequences for the plant. Water can only leave a pot four ways: drainage holes, the sides of the pot (if clay), evaporation from the top of the medium, and transpiration of the plant.

Clay is porous. That means that water will evaporate through the sides of the pot and the medium will dry out faster. Plastic is NOT porous and only three of the four ways to rid the pot of water apply.

Because of these attributes, plants in clay will need to be watered more often than those in plastic. Maintenance is therefore higher.

In addition, mineral buildup (although occurring on both types of pots) is worse on clay...and clay is harder to clean than plastic. AND plastic is cheaper.

Either choice works. Neither is preferable to the other, except in the eyes of individual growers. Most of us use BOTH.

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