The Tortured Tale of the Mounted Laelia Phase #1: Wood or Rock Boulder?????

[maria1971]

Hello all.

I have some yard space available. I wanted to try and naturalize a Laelia anceps or a purpurata onto a huge rock or slab of wood and keep it in my backyard.


I have several questions:

1) is this possible at all?
2) which one: Laelia purpurata or anceps? What I've read is that the anceps tends to tolerate weather extremes much better than the purpurata and is showier.
3) if the answer to #1 is yes, then wood or rock?
4) I want it to be a big slab, I saw a piece of rock that was sliced in the diagonal like a piece of baguette and was about 6 feet tall.--do I need a specific type of rock or should I avoid a specific rock?
5) If I grow an orchid like this, can I show it at a competition?
6) the most important question: Is Maria crazy for thinking this?

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by maria1971

1) is this possible at all?

Anything is possible as long as the cultural needs of the plant are met. Closely compare the cultural needs (light, temp, water, humidity, etc., etc) of the Laelia you want with the back yard conditions you have. If they match then you're good to go. If they do not match, the plant will struggle.[/QUOTE]

Originally Posted by maria1971

2) which one: Laelia purpurata or anceps? What I've read is that the anceps tends to tolerate weather extremes much better than the purpurata and is showier.

L. purpurata is an intermediate grower. L. anceps can grow cool to intermediate. L. anceps will tolerate cooler temps (below 55F) better but it does require higher humidity especially when the buds are opening.

Originally Posted by maria1971

3) if the answer to #1 is yes, then wood or rock?

It doesn't matter as long as you can meet the cultural needs of the plant.

Originally Posted by maria1971

4) I want it to be a big slab, I saw a piece of rock that was sliced in the diagonal like a piece of baguette and was about 6 feet tall.--do I need a specific type of rock or should I avoid a specific rock?

See #3 above.

Originally Posted by maria1971

5) If I grow an orchid like this, can I show it at a competition?

Sure, if you feel like hauling in the boulder it's attached to.

Originally Posted by maria1971

6) the most important question: Is Maria crazy for thinking this?

IMHO, nope, not at all.