Title image above is copyright © Ross

First published 17th October 2025

This post was inspired by Ross, who sent me photos of his wife’s orchid and his tomato plant in Air-Pot containers.

Ross said “The orchid flowered about two weeks after planting which was very unusual.”


Orchid in 7.5 L Air-Pot Container
copyright © Ross

It sure is beautiful!

I should mention here that this is an example of knowing the rules in order to break the rules — this coarser orchid bark obviously isn’t the fine, 5 mm medium required to fill the cones that I’m always going on about. However, the properties of an Air-Pot are still in force, and here, the orchid bark in conjunction with an Air-Pot creates a superbly open, well-draining, and well-aerated environment in which orchid roots can thrive.

This photo is Day 0 of a tomato plant:


Tomato plant in 20 L Air-Pot Container
copyright © Ross

At the same time a second, similarly-sized, tomato plant was also planted, but into a regular vegie bed. This photo is Day 30 of that plant:


Tomato plant in ground
copyright © Ross

This photo is Day 30 of the Air-Pot plant:


Tomato plant in 20 L Air-Pot Container
copyright © Ross

A close-up:


Tomato plant in 20 L Air-Pot Container
copyright © Ross

Ross said “The tomato in the Air-Pot is approximately twice the size of the one in the veggies garden.”

And it’s flowering!

I couldn’t help but admire the setting either — turns out Ross converted a backyard lawn into this magnificent paved and stepped retreat himself!

Before:


Before
copyright © Ross

After:


After
copyright © Ross