Orchids in Bloom mid March

[hendi_alex]

The light was a bit dim, but I didn't want to use the flash. We have about a dozen plants in bloom. If you have adequate light, most orchids are fairly easy to grow and bloom.

[img]https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4440473367_2f9f61b61e_o.jpg[/img]

[img]https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4441248588_4058d3c073_o.jpg[/img]

[img]https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2678/4440471273_2491eb4b3d_o.jpg[/img]

[img]https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2734/4440470061_83e06bf4c3_o.jpg[/img]

[img]https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4441245178_fa4c47f657_o.jpg[/img]

[img]https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2707/4440474421_ef568d12ec_o.jpg[/img]

[KiloJKilo]

is that some sort of venting on the bottom picture or is that just a pot design?

[hendi_alex]

The bottom photo shows a Dendrobium in a hexagonal orchid pot with a bottom tray permanently attached.

[applestar]

Ceramic orchid pots usually have holes or slits cut in the side. Is that what you're seeing?

[KiloJKilo]

Ceramic orchid pots usually have holes or slits cut in the side. Is that what you're seeing?

Yes. Do the other pots pictured have this? I cannot tell. Why is this common with ceramic orchid pots?

[hendi_alex]

I only use my ceramic pots for display, so the holes are not that necessary. But most orchids need plenty of air circulation around their roots and don't necessarily need any potting medium. When placed in an orchid pot the plant gets extra air circulation from the holes in the sides and the roots are able to grow through the holes to the outside of the pot as well. I plant all except the fine rooted terrestrials in clear plastic pots that just have lots of holes in the bottom. Vandas and some others that need very little if any potting medium get planted in wooden baskets with just some large pieces of cork to add support and to hold a little extra moisture.