Plastic Pot on Orchid When I Received It.... DO I Remove It?

by Jenn Beth
(NC)

Hi! I just received a beautiful Phalaenopsis as a suprise from my husband. She is my first orchid, but I have been wanting one for years. When she was delivered, she came in a plastic pot which is then put in a metal potter.

Do I need to remove the plastic pot or leave it on?

Comments for Plastic Pot on Orchid When I Received It.... DO I Remove It?

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Jun 09, 2014
Rating

Cable's Reply
by: Cable Thompson

Getting your first orchid is exciting! Have fun!

There's no need to remove the plastic pot. It's what the greenhouse that grew the plant kept it in. The outer pot was added before sale for aesthetics.

Check that the outer pot has drainage holes; you want to be sure the plant isn't sitting in water. (If there are no drainage holes, you'll have to lift the plastic pot out of it to water.)

Often plants first arrive in a potting mix that's starting to get old; it's a good idea to repot the next time you see new roots starting to grow from the base of the plant's main stem. That's also a good chance to check on the health of the root system.

Overall, Phalaenopsis are pretty robust and vigorous plants as long as they aren't overwatered or chronically underwatered.

Happy growing! (And let me know if you have more questions!)

Jun 09, 2014
Rating

New Growth?
by: Jenn Beth

How do I know when I have new growth of roots?

Jun 09, 2014
Rating

Cable's Reply
by: Cable Thompson

The roots start on the sides of the stem, near the base and usually above the top of the potting mix where you can see them.

Orchid roots are thick, and healthy, growing roots are white with a green tip.

Look at the photo on my keikis page for a good example; those roots are growing at the base of a keiki (a small plantlet sprouting from the side of a stem) rather than at the base of the plant, but it'll look similar. The roots there are at about the length at which you'll want to repot.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Growing Orchids for Beginners.

Share This Page:

Like this page? Please pay it forward! Here's how…