S/H Pots

[IdahoOrchid]

I find that clear pots tend to grow algae.

I find this to be true AND false. I am not certain what influences the algae growth, but I have some containers that do and some that don't. I also think that even totally opaque containers are not immune to algae growth. Since I only have one plant in that sort of pot I cannot prove or disprove without repotting. I am not certain if the algae growth is harmful or not either. My gut feeling is I would not want it as the algae would have a tendency to retain too much water and/or fill in the desired air spaces between the media.

You can't over water in S/H.

Sorry Ron, I don't agree with this statement. I believe it is too general. Some orchids you will be able to get away with watering every day in s/h. I know for a fact though, that there are some that if you did water every day, even in s/h, you would cause root rot. I know this from experience. I put it in the same catagory as the recommendation that one fertilize at "1/4 the suggested concentration on the package." I think you need to know the species and the growing conditions before you can suggest a watering schedule. The size of the pot to plant size is also an important factor I have learned since starting with s/h.