I would say 95% of the time I opt for clay pots when pots are indicated over mounting. My reasons for this is that I'm fairly good at judging moisture content from the weight and 'moist' or 'cool' feel of the exterior of the pot.

I'm pretty impressed with the clear pots, especially the cone ones, because of the moisture content visible on the walls of the pot.

What I don't understand though is all the seriously expensive, enameled clay pots. Doesn't that defeat the intended purpose of a clay pot since it behaves as a moisture barrier? My wife was on a fetch mission for me and bought some of them at an exorbitant price and I've been staring at them for weeks considering to use them or not. Actually, the only value other than pretty that I see in them is an outer container for another internal pot which I can check. Any thoughts?

Ernie,
I agree that most of the fancy enamel ones are probably better off used as cache pots to hide the "ugly" plastic ones when displaying them.

When I first started growing, every plant had to have a lovely pot to sit in. I generally sat the plant on some of those glass "rocks" inside the cache pot in it's plastic pot. This lasted about 6 weeks.
Then they all got ditched due to space issues. That was when my space was very small, just the top of the file cabinet.
Oh actually, I found a pic and I'd already upgraded to small table. :notlooking:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ahmcd33/attachment.jpg

Would you LOOK at all that SPACE!! :confused: Where did it go????

I would say 95% of the time I opt for clay pots when pots are indicated over mounting. My reasons for this is that I'm fairly good at judging moisture content from the weight and 'moist' or 'cool' feel of the exterior of the pot.

I'm pretty impressed with the clear pots, especially the cone ones, because of the moisture content visible on the walls of the pot.

What I don't understand though is all the seriously expensive, enameled clay pots. Doesn't that defeat the intended purpose of a clay pot since it behaves as a moisture barrier? My wife was on a fetch mission for me and bought some of them at an exorbitant price and I've been staring at them for weeks considering to use them or not. Actually, the only value other than pretty that I see in them is an outer container for another internal pot which I can check. Any thoughts?

Hi Ernie

Unlaquered/unpainted terracotta "breathes". That allows moisture to pass through and cool the surface of the pot. It also allows for better gas transfer which I'm given to believe is pretty important for Orchids. For my Natives (Dendrobes and Sarcs) I use what I call a squat/holey pot. It's terracotta and has a series of 3/4" holes in and around its surface. While the plants don't mind plastics, they love terracotta. The consitency of the terracotta here is almost the same as the hydroton I've bought - so why wouldn't they? That's also why I'm currently experimenting with this semi - hydro thing.

From time to time I've bought the laquered pots - the only ones my orchids can seem to abide directly (I've had some failures), are the bonsai variety. Possibly due to shallow depth and wider surface area.

That's my POV

Cheers
Stephan

being a hobist ceramic sculptor (my other passion beside orchids) I know a thing or two about clay. glazed ceramic pots are stronger and prettier but loose all their advanteges. they don't let any air movement because the glaze seals the pores in the clay. as a result the potting mix doesn't dry and there is less oxigen available to the roots. Its also harder to tell when to water and promotes heat accumlation if the plant is left in a hot place by mistake. In general, the higher temp the clay is fired to (around 2000F and up) it's less porous and much stronger. pots manufacturers have to find the balance between the two. glaze (or enamel) however, Is a glass based material that completly seals the pores which give clay its advantages as a pot material.

Amber, do you have access to a kilm that fires to over 2000 F? If so, have you tried making your own LECA potting medium?
Just curious if it was possible.
Thanks,

I forgot to clarify something: there is nothing wrong with painted pots. the paint is usualy based on ceramic material which has the same qualities as ordinary clay or terracotta (which is an italian red brand of clay). glazes however (glossy or matt) are a different story and are easily recognised by their smooth texture.

Hi marcus,
I have a kiln, and thought about making my own leca. the thing is I'm not sure what kind of clay to use (and there are as many clay brands as there are orchid species) and temp. I don't think its worth the mess and trouble of making it.

I use plastic on all but my catts. My Catts are all in un-glazed TC. That's mystory, and I am sticking to it