Please note: Since Barry’s passing in March 2022 orchid pots are no longer available for purchase.

Hand-thrown pots

Victorian-style terracotta orchid pots

During the nineteenth century, Europeans developed an obsession for keeping and breeding orchids. Orchid collectors were sent all over the world – South America, Australia, Africa, and Southeast Asia – hunting for new orchid species. To house these orchid collections, potteries designed and produced unglazed terracotta pots with characteristics that favoured orchid growth and success. The pots were fired to earthenware temperatures (around 1070°C) to retain the porosity needed to keep the clay damp and promote evaporative cooling of the roots. They were also perforated with holes to simulate the epiphytic growth form of many orchid species by allowing air to circulate through the roots to promote gas exchange and prevent root rot.

By the end of the nineteenth century the orchid craze fizzled out as nurseries started to grow orchids en masse which reduced the high prices that orchids originally commanded. This spelled the end of orchid pot production by potteries, especially with the introduction of plastic pots in the twentieth century.

There is something special about growing your orchids in the old Victorian style of pots. The pots have characteristics which plastic pots do not have. They are bottom-heavy, which prevents the potted plants, especially ones that grow tall such as dendrobiums, from falling over. They are porous and vented with holes. But most importantly, they are beautiful. With age the pots develop a wonderful patina from algae and minerals absorbed from the orchid foods.

Barry started to throw orchid pots for his own orchid collection and over time developed what he considered to be a desirable and functional shape, weight, and size. He was never interested in throwing pots for sale, despite many orchid enthusiasts having wanted to buy the pots over the years. But, then two events came along and changed that; retirement and covid!

Features of Barry’s pots

Fired to earthenware (1070°C) thus retaining porosity and allowing the pots to retain moisture to facilitate evaporative cooling. A porous pot keeps the roots cool.

Heavy weight, preventing pots falling over with top-heavy orchids such as dendrobiums.
Perforated with holes to allow air to circulate through the roots thus mimicking conditions for epiphytic growth.
Three small holes for hanging the pot.
Shaped to allow easy removal of plants for repotting or root inspection.
Large drainage hole in the bottom to prevent root rot.

Pots left to right: large, medium, small.

Please note: Since Barry’s death in March 2022 only a limited number of pots are remaining and are reserved for close friends and family.

Prices and average sizes
Small.
Height: 127 mm (range: 113-145 mm)
Top inside diameter: 125 mm (range: 102-142 mm)

Medium.
Height: 148mm (range: 127-165 mm)
Top inside diameter: 161 mm (range: 147-179 mm)

Large.
Height: 173 mm (range: 152-190 mm)
Top inside diameter: 184 mm (range: 174-202 mm)

Please note: Since Barry’s passing in March 2022 only a limited number of pots are remaining and are reserved for close friends an family.