Ferns on Phal mounts

[Ron]

Hi I mounted this Phal schilleriana on tree fern slab about 4 months ago.
was hoping in a way it would grow moss as Brookes mounts do, instead it has grown what look like to me, Maiden Hair ferns, must have had spores on it when wild collected.

Will leave them as they look quiet nice

[Ray]

Keep a close eye on that, Ron. I have had ferns' roots completely suffocate phals in pots of sphagnum. That seems less likely on a mount, but better safe than sorry.

[1joyceh]

they look lovely Ron

[Brooke]

I agree with Ray. Ferns have roots that will suffocate other roots. The ferns will also take the fertilizer for the Phal for themselves. When these ferns produce spores the spores will go everywhere and inhabit every pot, mount and even your floor if you have gravel under the benches.

Ferns are also a great place for bugs to hide and very hard to eliminate. Mealies and white scale will be very happy you have provided them a wonderful home in which to hide. When I got the g/h I thought I wanted to grow ferns under the tables but quickly changed my mind.

Brooke

[dounoharm]

i agree with brooke and ray, the fern will take sustanence away from the plant and god help you when it makes spores.....they take over everything!

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Ray

Keep a close eye on that, Ron. I have had ferns' roots completely suffocate phals in pots of sphagnum. That seems less likely on a mount, but better safe than sorry.

Thanks all for the comments, maybe I should think of pulling them all off the mount.
Yes I have often over the years had ferns come up orchid pots and usually pull them out when babys as I left one many years ago out of curosity and it quickly fill the pot with a mass of roots chokeing the Paph in the pot.

Thank for the help, experience is a good teacher!