watering B Little Stars

[brit6v]

Hi everyone,
I bought a B little stars yesterday and mounted it this afternoon. I plan to hang it from the peak of my greenhouse roof, where it will get the most light. I'm unclear as to how to water it, though.....should I only mist the roots, dunk it in a bucket of water....?? Also, how often would you suggest? Could someone advise me, please?
Vicki
(By the way, please don't judge my mounting job...I know it leaves quite a bit to be desired).

[digitalgate]

U can dump the plant in water and soak for a 20 mins and hang up to dry. This plant do not like wet feet. If your moss can dry up after an hour or so. Then u can leave the moss as it is. If it does not dry up that fast be careful of root rot.

[kmarch]

The mount looks ok, I'd only comment that it looks like you have completely covered up the rhizome, the stem that runs along the surface of the mix (if potted) or the surface of the tree branch (in situ). This should be left uncovered, above any mix or substrate you use.

Watering frequency is so relative. It depends heavily on your conditions (temps, humidity, etc). You could have the exact same plant in 2 different conditions, water them both exactly the same and one will thrive while the other one dies. In stead of asking "How often should I water?" ask yourself "How fast is my orchid drying out? and Does it want that or not?" As yours is a Cattleya alliance orchid, it iwll like to dry out a bit between waterings. It is moving into winter for you so how long does it take to dry out completely? One day? Four days? Depending on these things, your watering frequency could range form every day to once a week.

Watering method will also play a role. If you give it a good thorough soaking, it will go for longer than if you just give it a spray. And it also depends on what youmean by "spray". Does that mean as little as 2-3 squirts with a hand held mister or does it mean a drenching with the sprayer attached to your garden hose?

It's a lot of questions isnt' it. This is why it is always easier to leanr what your orchid's cultural needs are and then water as much or as little, soak or mist or whatever you need ot do to give it the conditions it wants.

[FLBob]

I grow my B. nodosa mounded, only without the moss. When I water it I attempt to imitate a tropical rain shower. Spraying the plants with a garden hose set to the shower setting. I will spray each mount for several seconds (10-15) multiple times each time I water.

You can find B. nodosa growing in nature here in south Florida. So when mounted they should be able to with stand periods of no water as well as periods of extended water.
If your green house is hot and humid you could water well daily, if cool and humid, water less often. If the humidly level is low you might drench the floor of your green house during the warmest time of the day.

There is nothing wrong with your mount, I think it looks good, but I would remove some of the moss now, leaving some in the area around the roots and remove the remainder of the moss once the plant has attached itself to the cork mount.

[brit6v]

Thank you everyone...digitalgate, Kevin and Bob.
I decided to start over and redo the mount entirely. I plan to take your advice and use much less sphag and also be sure the rhizome is exposed. I decided to try using a different mount, so I ordered a cork one (as well as extras to use later). I'm expecting to receive the mounts before the end of the week, so I'm going to give it another shot then. (I hope cork is ok for this type of orchid.) Actually, much of my confusion was in positioning the foliage. I've seen pictures of plants positioned flush against the mount. I'm wondering how my B. little stars would bush out if the plant is positioned this way. Another thing, I'm also wondering which would be best.....positioning the plant up or down.....the roots at the top, and foliage on the bottom or vice-versa. I think I should readup on mounting instructions more. As for watering...I appreciate your advice, as well. If I ever get my mounting project completed, I understand better now how I should water.
Thanks again,
Vicki