My mount collection! Any tips on mounting?

[ysanabria]

Here are some of my proud collection of mount orchids!
Any tips on mounting will be really appreaciated!!
Happy New Year!!

[PhalPal]

Picture #1 is only sort of mounted; they have a bit more media to help keep them moist. It's a really cool hanger! The others are true mounts and are gorgeous!! My recommendation is to have a spray bottle handy and keep it full. I water mine heavily every day, both my indoor and outdoor mounts. Make sure to get the moss and all of the roots that are exposed. You can fertilize by simply adding it to the bottle. Keep in mind I have NO humidity here so it makes my job a lot harder; yours would probably enjoy summering outdoors. I asked Andy from Andy's Orchids if it was possible to overwater a mount. (if you are not familiar with Andys Orchids, they sell only species and the vast majority are mounted or lightly potted) His answer was no, you cannot over water a mount. My suggestion would be to water everyday with a spray bottle. Don't over work yourself by 'soaking' it physically in a sink or bucket; I don't think it gets it any wetter! I use a pressure sprayer with a manual pump on the top and it works very well.

[ysanabria]

[PhalPal]

Bumping this thread; I know there are more of you out there???

BTW ysanabria- it looks like you are doing quite well already with your mounts. Is there something more specific you want to know about????

[ysanabria]

I start only a couple of years ago mounting my orchids, I love to water them, so I realize that I couldn't over water them this way LOL!!
At first I start with keikis but now I have mounted a little bit of everything! I live in Miami Beach and we have a lot of humidity, but not these days which are very cold (at least for us) During the day are in the 50's and at night low 40's, the majority of my collection is outdoors, and when they in bloom I enjoy them inside! I'm concern for the cold front, Do you think I should bring them inside?
I just want it to share some pics of my mount orchids and see other people mounts and tips.
Thank you so much for answering and your tips!
All the best!!
Ysa

[PhalPal]

Ya know, you have quite a variety there and not knowing what they are, I would bring them in until it warms up a bit. I guess it is going to get pretty cold for you guys - over night temps at least. Laelia anceps will be fine. A few weeks ago we got down in the 30's overnight and my husband and I moved about 150 (?) catts, encyclia, cym babies, hodge podge of orchids usually very happy outdoors. It took us about an hour to move them into the garage and I felt it was still too cold so I put a space heater in there! The more sensitive types came in the house but I couldn't put them all inside. I really didn't want all that work, but better safe than sorry. It was the first time I have ever had to do that. If in doubt, move them.

For those of you in the frigid areas who might not understand what we are worried about - my family is in Buffalo, NY and it will be 20 degrees during the day and 19 degrees that night. No big difference. In some of the warmer areas (like So Cal) it can be 78 daytime and 33 that same night. We have huge swings in winter and the temps can really drop when the sun goes down, catching our orchids off guard.

[ysanabria]

Thank you so much I will start moving them today and have faith that the ones attach to the trees will be ok! We are in record low in Miami last night was in the 30's. Right now is 52 with a beautiful sunshine but still cold for us.
I have a lot attach to my palm trees and I live in a house on the Bay so the wind is also very cold ans strong right now, I have not water them recently, the moss is very dry, I dont know if I should water them because of the cold wind? What is your suggestion?
Thank you!!!!

[rcb]

ysanabria, many orchids can withstand the cold better if they are dry than wet. I personally wouldn't water them until it warms up. For the ones on your trees, can you cover them with a sheet or something similar at night, to help protect them?

[PhalPal]

Like rcb said above, I have covered some Sobralia I have in-ground with a dry sheet on extra cold nights. I would be inclined to keep them dry also, but I do know that the orange and strawberry farmers water so the fruit gets a coating of ice to keep them warmer??? If anyone know the science behind this, please explain!

[turtleprincess]

How you have them mounted on the 3 logs and hung on top of each other is very creative and provides a semi-natural type of habitat

[ysanabria]

[-k-]

Wow, how cool is that! Very Nice

[ysanabria]

[ysanabria]

[ysanabria]

[ysanabria]

[lmartiny]

Gorgeous.

[kmarch]

Great pics!

[evagentry]

Beautiful, and so healthy looking.

[ysanabria]

[ysanabria]

[ysanabria]

[Ochin@]

Oh I love that last one, do you have a name for it?

[ysanabria]

No!! Sorry. It was a keiki gift long time ago and is the first time that blooms!!

[syndywindy]

Great pictures! And I also like that last one. Too bad it doesn't have a name.

[house055]

Simply amazing!

[ysanabria]

[Phalcycle]

These are great mounts you have!

[Anisa]

Very creative mountings. I especially like the one with 3 hollowed bamboo "planters". I wish i could have mine mounted, but i have found that i cant supply enough humidity for mounts, so i had to put everything in baskets. even mounts

[ysanabria]

[ysanabria]

[ysanabria]

[ysanabria]

Originally Posted by Ochin@

Oh I love that last one, do you have a name for it?

I found out the name is Trichoglottis brachiata

[dillon935]

Oh my how did I miss your thread the pics are beautiful and I absolutely love the creative and decorative way you've mounted the orchids. You show them at their best...everything looks so peaceful which is exactly the mood that I strive for with my orchids. Thanks so much for sharing the pics.

[jim4eq]

very nice collection, ysanabriana!! Love the mounts, very cool!

Did you make it down to the redland orchid festival? That was really fun, 50+ vendors from all over the world. Weird orchids not seen normally, what fun. Met some interesting people from all over the US, Caribbean, and even Norway!!

[ysanabria]

Originally Posted by jim4eq

very nice collection, ysanabriana!! Love the mounts, very cool!

Did you make it down to the redland orchid festival? That was really fun, 50+ vendors from all over the world. Weird orchids not seen normally, what fun. Met some interesting people from all over the US, Caribbean, and even Norway!!

No I didn't! I went to one in March at the Fairchild's International Orchid Festival which is the biggest one in Miami.
I have learned to avoid to go to the shows they are to tempting
I have no more space or trees what a lie coming from an orchidgeek

[jim4eq]

Always room for one more!! If you don't believe me, check this one out. I *think* you could fit it on a tree?? *G*

rats, can't figure out how to post a picture here, go to my album and look for the dime in the picture.

[ysanabria]

[zaeem]

Great orchids collection and mountings.Thanks.

I (for my Climate) cant figure out a tree to mount .tried on coconut Plants died.I have no sphag.no osmunda.Only coconuts chips and charcoal. My brasslova ndosa grew for sometime on half a coconut,but water logging was a problem in the trough!So I have now in slated wood basket.Any tropical grower may be able to suggest tree,bark etc.compatible to dens etc., no indoor growing possible here.Temp 85 F---95F Hum.40%-70% summer.
Thanks
zaeem

[ysanabria]

Originally Posted by zaeem

Great orchids collection and mountings.Thanks.

I (for my Climate) cant figure out a tree to mount .tried on coconut Plants died.I have no sphag.no osmunda.Only coconuts chips and charcoal. My brasslova ndosa grew for sometime on half a coconut,but water logging was a problem in the trough!So I have now in slated wood basket.Any tropical grower may be able to suggest tree,bark etc.compatible to dens etc., no indoor growing possible here.Temp 85 F---95F Hum.40%-70% summer.
Thanks
zaeem

I love to mount my orchids I feel they grow faster and flower more, plus is easier to see id there is any problems. Brassovola Nodosa is one fairly common orchid that really enjoys living on a mount specially in tropical conditions. You have a very similar climate. I live in Miami were is very sunny, hot and humid most time of the year.
Mounted orchids are happy when there is ample water and humidity such as in a tropical garden, outdoors in warm climates or in a greenhouse.

The most classic mount for orchids is cork which is available in plaques of varying sizes. Some orchids, particularly those with thin roots such as oncidium are fond of tree fern mounts. I take branches from tree that has been trimmed and you can do a nice mount, in all the big stores here they sale wood slat plaques look something like the flat bottom of a vanda basket and can be used either as a vertical or horizontal mount. When I change the plants from pots to trees I dont add any media, just some moss to protect their roots, and help with the humidity, I will recommend that you water your new mounts every day.

Check my other post about my Vanda collection, these are great plants to be mounted!

http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/orc...ollection.html

[zaeem]

ysanbaria thanks for valuable suggestions.I shall experiment with den. Have to collect the medium/tree branch etc.

Thanks
zaeem

[orchids4me]

Ysanabria, those are all so beautiful! I'm thinking about mounting up some but room is a problems to do many. I had a question for you....one of the pics of the Trichoglottis brachiata you poste there is some grassy type stuff you are using around the plant what is that stuff? Is it a moss of some sort and that one earlier in the post mounted on large piece of wood on a table? Not sure what it was set on but all the green mossy stuff does that grow naturally where you live or did you get it and place on the mount if so what kind of moss is that ? it looks great on the mounting with the orchid.
Thanks
Emmaye

[berniep]

G'day Ysanabria

what a great journey it has been looking at your orchids, thanks for showing us.

Cheers
Bernie

[ysanabria]

Originally Posted by orchids4me

Ysanabria, those are all so beautiful! I'm thinking about mounting up some but room is a problems to do many. I had a question for you....one of the pics of the Trichoglottis brachiata you poste there is some grassy type stuff you are using around the plant what is that stuff? Is it a moss of some sort and that one earlier in the post mounted on large piece of wood on a table? Not sure what it was set on but all the green mossy stuff does that grow naturally where you live or did you get it and place on the mount if so what kind of moss is that ? it looks great on the mounting with the orchid.
Thanks
Emmaye

Mounting will help you with the space you can add them to any wall or any outside tree, also in top of theones that you might already have!
The name is Spanish moss I use it a lot in my orchids speacially Vandas and my mount babys!

You can check my other post on Spanish moss here is the link

Spanish moss with tiny flowers!!! :)

[ysanabria]

[syndywindy]

Your mounts are beautiful and very creative. I only wish I could keep my orchids out all year. They do so much better mounted, but in the winter it's a pain to tend to them everyday indoors. I envy you and everyone else who can pretty much leave your plants out all year.

[Daethen]

Absolutely gorgeous!!!! I am so jealous of your beautiful mounts and the diversity of the orchids you have. Well, at least I can live vicariously through your pics.

[zaeem]

Yasanbria,great work artistically displayed!
wow!.Thanks.
zaeem

[PhalPal]

Ysa I love all of your mounts and how creative you are thinking up different ways to plant/display them. I love cork and so do my orchids....it gives the roots so many nooks and crannies to explore and find water. The last picture of the yellow one- do you have a name for it???? It is just stunning and I seem to be on a yellow kick right now!!!!!

[Cewal]

As always, your pictures are beautiful. I love the creative ways you display your mounted orchids. Thanks for sharing with us.