Gardening the Garden

Question:

I find the net pots at a nice independent garden supply center. They’re used for hydroponics, no? Scott – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Mary –  The net pots are also available from OFE.  Where I actually SAW the new catalog last weekend *GASP*, and they said that they would start sending them out in the next couple weeks, the delay was due to the owner being the only one who could write in the prices and he was also was the one to go to all the shows.  (hmmmm, the word "delegation of authority" comes to mind)  Thought I would throw this tidbit out after seeing the prior posts.  But, no darts at me if it doesn’t show up on time, I only repeat what I am told in hushed whispers by someone I know while the owner was away at a show.  tee-hee. later, jimwatts My plants roots have improved since I began using an inverted  net pot inside the larger pot that the plant is in. This creates a cone of air in the pots boggiest place. Net pots are available through garden pond supply places.(They are used for aquatic plants). Cheers, Susan

Response:

I’m new to all of this……. what is a net pot? Thanks – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – That’s an excellent idea. It often seems that the roots are rotten in the center of the pot. What plants have you used it on? Scott We’ve used this technique on Paphs. It’s helpful with larger plants when the pot size starts to get over 6 inches, smaller than that and it hasn’t been needed. As you point out, a plant can tell you when this might be a good idea by "creating" an area in the center of the roots to put the net pot. OFE also sells these net pots (we use them for potting Draculas) in various sizes. We have never had the need to use this technique on Phrags, which makes sense considering the differences between the two genera regarding desirable moisture levels at the roots. Bob

Response:

I’m new to all of this……. what is a net pot? Thanks

Simbi, A net pot is a pot with 1/2 of the pot removed What’s left is a pot with a checkerboard look to it, the black squares being plastic, the white squares being air holes. Sturdier than you might think and with terrific air movement thru the pot. Also a bit on the expensive side. The last time I looked they cost more than a standard azalea pot. -Rod- Venger’s Orchids Website http://www.vengers.com/ Basic Culture CD-ROM: http://vengers.com/demo/cd.htm

Response:

I’m new to all of this……. what is a net pot?

A net pot is a plastic flower pot which is made of mesh, like a strawberry basket. Net pots are used for orchids which are very fussy about air circulation at their roots, or those which send out flower stems below ground level, like draculas. Iris, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40 "The trouble with people is not that they don’t know but that they know so much that ain’t so."  Josh Billings, 1818-1885.

Response:

"expensive plant" she got from the Local Orchid society.  What is the motivation/benefit to using these ugly styrofome balls? Probably to save weight on shipping costs.  Aren’t they hideous?  Perlite is bad enough. LD

Two reasons actually, Liz. First, using them in pots keeps them out of the landfill, at least for a time. Second, they create a buffer between the media and bottom of the pot. Roots grow into this buffer zone to avoid excess moisture. "Studies" have supposedly been done that shows this actually increases the moisture levels in the media, but I have no information on that. If true, that would be a good thing for someone that is lighthanded with the water, but a big negative for someone that’s heavyhanded. In a typical 4" pot, the weight savings for shipping would be minimal, a few ounces per pot at best. Someone really worried about weight could simply ship bareroot We use them for compots at times. -Rod- Venger’s Orchids Website http://www.vengers.com/ Basic Culture CD-ROM: http://vengers.com/demo/cd.htm

Response:

Tell me why peanuts are ok to use in the bottom of a phaelenopsis.  I transplanted one recently because I could see those peanuts and thought that it was a cheap way for the grower to fill the bottom of the pot.   I don’t think I have injured the plant, it looks fine.  Mom just let me have an orchid for the winter while she travels  and it too has those white peanuts, and this is a supposedly nice "expensive plant" she got from the Local Orchid society.  What is the motivation/benefit to using these ugly styrofome balls?

Response:

"expensive plant" she got from the Local Orchid society.  What is the motivation/benefit to using these ugly styrofome balls?

Probably to save weight on shipping costs.  Aren’t they hideous?  Perlite is bad enough. LD

Response:

I’ll say that it is because medium at the very bottom of the pot has a much harder time drying out thoroughly, which I find is essential to keeping roots healthy in the home environment.  Like Rod hints to, those roots need air to be healthy. — Mary

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Tell me why peanuts are ok to use in the bottom of a phaelenopsis.  I transplanted one recently because I could see those peanuts and thought that it was a cheap way for the grower to fill the bottom of the pot.   I don’t think I have injured the plant, it looks fine. Mom just let me have an orchid for the winter while she travels  and it too has those white peanuts, and this is a supposedly nice "expensive plant" she got from the Local Orchid society.  What is the motivation/benefit to using these ugly styrofome balls?

Response:

That’s an excellent idea. It often seems that the roots are rotten in the center of the pot. What plants have you used it on? Scott

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ll say that it is because medium at the very bottom of the pot has a much harder time drying out thoroughly, which I find is essential to keeping roots healthy in the home environment.  Like Rod hints to, those roots need air to be healthy. My plants roots have improved since I began using an inverted  net pot inside the larger pot that the plant is in. This creates a cone of air in the pots boggiest place. Net pots are available through garden pond supply places.(They are used for aquatic plants). Cheers, Susan

Response:

I’ll say that it is because medium at the very bottom of the pot has a much harder time drying out thoroughly, which I find is essential to keeping roots healthy in the home environment.  Like Rod hints to, those roots need air to be healthy.

My plants roots have improved since I began using an inverted  net pot inside the larger pot that the plant is in. This creates a cone of air in the pots boggiest place. Net pots are available through garden pond supply places.(They are used for aquatic plants). Cheers, Susan

Response:

That’s an excellent idea. It often seems that the roots are rotten in the center of the pot. What plants have you used it on? Scott

We’ve used this technique on Paphs. It’s helpful with larger plants when the pot size starts to get over 6 inches, smaller than that and it hasn’t been needed. As you point out, a plant can tell you when this might be a good idea by "creating" an area in the center of the roots to put the net pot. OFE also sells these net pots (we use them for potting Draculas) in various sizes. We have never had the need to use this technique on Phrags, which makes sense considering the differences between the two genera regarding desirable moisture levels at the roots. Bob

Response:

Mary –   The net pots are also available from OFE.   Where I actually SAW the new catalog last weekend *GASP*, and they said that they would start sending them out in the next couple weeks, the delay was due to the owner being the only one who could write in the prices and he was also was the one to go to all the shows.  (hmmmm, the word "delegation of authority" comes to mind)  Thought I would throw this tidbit out after seeing the prior posts.  But, no darts at me if it doesn’t show up on time, I only repeat what I am told in hushed whispers by someone I know while the owner was away at a show.  tee-hee. later, jimwatts My plants roots have improved since I began using an inverted  net pot inside the larger pot that the plant is in. This creates a cone of air in the pots boggiest place. Net pots are available through garden pond supply places.(They are used for aquatic plants). Cheers, Susan

Response: