Question
QUESTION: Wayne,
I just purchased some blooming-size cattleyas that will be coming in about a week.

Having said that, I need to purchase some pots and bark to plant them in.

I am planning on getting 5-6" pots from our local Home Depot store, they have holes at the bottom, as you may know. I have heard folks drill a hole or two on the side to allow air to flow in and dry the medium between watering cycles.

What are your thoughts there?

I have seen pictures of some pots that are made with holes on the side, but have not seen them locally.

Any other stores you would recommend I take a look? even online would be OK.

Also, I get my planting bark from Home Depot, any recommendations there? any other stores?

Finally, I have seen that some people use a bamboo stick across the top of the pot (about 1-2 inches from the top) to keep the plant's roots from hitting the bottom of the pot. They also put something at the bottom to create some space and help with the drainage; I think it is brick. I have a friend that uses some Styrofoam balls.

What are your thoughts there?

I have brought my plants into the garage for the winter, I keep thinking I can come up with something to wrap my stands with while they are in the pool area so that I don't have to bring my plants in for the "winter". It does not get that cold here in Orlando as you know.

Thanks as always,
Angelo A. Guevara
Orlando, Florida

ANSWER: Good day Angelo.  I think two to four holes in the side of your clay pots would be helpful.  I prefer to use broken clay pot shards in the bottom of the pots.  I use 3-6 pieces depending upon the size of the shards.  They serve the functions of preventing loss of potting mix through the bottom of the pot, promoting air flow and keeping some humidity in the lower part of the root zone.  I don't use the plastic peanuts as they tend to keep the lower root zone too dry.

I know both Home Depot and Lowes carry orchid potting mix.  For cattleyas, the potting mix should be largely fir bark so be sure to pick the type of potting mix that has the fir bark ingredient. I find rhizome clips indispensable for holding the cattleyas in place in the pot. I also like to add sponge rock to the potting mix.  On on-line/mail order supplier is Roberts Flower Supply in Ohio.  You may enjoy their supplies list at www.orchidmix.com.  They stock both the rhizome clips and the sponge rock.

As a bark based potting mix is usually fairly dry, I would soak it for an hour or two prior to use, otherwise the dry bark will dry out the orchid roots.

Another web site you might like to browse is charleysgreenhouse.com for some ideas for protecting your plants during winter.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Wayne,

Thanks for the information, it is very helpful and spot on, as always.

I went to Amazon.com today and found a pot which I would like to run by you to see what your opinion would be. It definitely would allow for air flow.

Please take a look at http://www.amazon.com/Round-Pots-inch-Heavy-Duty/dp/B001RUHN8O/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF.

Thanks,
Angelo

Answer
Angelo, while that net pot is definitely more heavy duty than the standard net pot, it is not heavy enough to support the weight of a mature cattleya.  Nor, does it appear to be suitable for use of a rhizome clip.  I would stick with the standard clay pot which affords the weight required to support a cattleya while allowing the growth to be staked and anchored with a rhizome clip. There are clay pots with a half dozen drainage holes and some specifically for orchids have other air holes in other locations on the pot.