Display pots.

[jackb]

All of my orchids are grown in ugly plastic pots that do not lend themselves for display when the plants are in bloom; it would be nice to be able to bring the plants into the living area to enjoy the flowers while they bloom but the plastic pots present a problem.

To make the plants more presentable I purchased a few inexpensive pots for display only. To accommodate different sized and shaped pots I purchased pots quite a bit larger than the pots that the plants are grown in. The plant and pot it is grown in are placed in the display pot and the area around and on top of the plant are filled with expanded clay pellets.

When the plants are watered the water runs right through the clay pellets and out through the drainage holes on the bottom of the pot. After the water stops dripping from the pot the plant can be put on display again. It is a simple matter to remove the expanded clay pellets and reuse both the pellets and display pot for another plant after the plant is no longer blooming.

It just seemed a shame to have the flowers in the basement, and orchids really don't mind being indoors in a shaded area.

 

[Smart Red]

Pirating your post, but this might be a good time to report that "Alex" and the companion orchid are both back in flower. Nothing this poor indoor gardener did but leave for Washington and return home to flowers.

Yea!

 

[Smart Red]

Now back to: that's a great idea, jackb. They do look good in their topcoats.

 

[Carol Dee]

Excellent Idea @jackb
@Smart Red Don't you love it when you neglect a plant and it rewards you with blooms?

 

[Nyboy]

@Smart Red you should be very proud of that.

 

[Smart Red]

Excellent Idea @jackb
@Smart Red Don't you love it when you neglect a plant and it rewards you with blooms?

I didn't exactly neglect the plants. I practiced extreme restraint with the water. They got water on Sunday only. A few weeks I missed the Sunday watering and still waited for the next Sunday before watering again.

Most of my house plants have drown rather than died of thirst. Outside, the water seeps deeper into the ground, but inside the house, in the pot, in the darkness of windows in the woods, it would seem plants don't have high moisture need. Watering them whenever I was thirsty doesn't seem to be a good plan.

@Smart Red you should be very proud of that.

I am shocked, awed, and only a bit proud that these puppies flowered despite my attentions. The flowers are just as full and lovely as at their first blooming.

 

[catjac1975]

Pirating your post, but this might be a good time to report that "Alex" and the companion orchid are both back in flower. Nothing this poor indoor gardener did but leave for Washington and return home to flowers.

Yea!

I won't believe it until you post a photo!

 

[catjac1975]

I didn't exactly neglect the plants. I practiced extreme restraint with the water. They got water on Sunday only. A few weeks I missed the Sunday watering and still waited for the next Sunday before watering again.

Most of my house plants have drown rather than died of thirst. Outside, the water seeps deeper into the ground, but inside the house, in the pot, in the darkness of windows in the woods, it would seem plants don't have high moisture need. Watering them whenever I was thirsty doesn't seem to be a good plan.

I am shocked, awed, and only a bit proud that these puppies flowered despite my attentions. The flowers are just as full and lovely as at their first blooming.

Orchids do not need a lot of water so neglect can be better than overwatering. I also think the shock of dry and then watered sometimes get things to bloom.

 

[Smart Red]

Camera fell out of my pocket as I jumped down from truck. Maverick found it in the slushy driveway before anyone could run over it, but I've not tried posting a photo since then. The screen seems to have a couple of lines in the middle. I figured they would be on the photos as well. Guess it's time to give the baby a try or fork out $$ for a newer model.

 

[Nyboy]

Red seal it in a plastic bag with rice. The rice will abourb the moisture.