I found a great way to secure mounted orchids!

[syndywindy]

After seeing -K-'s thread about her Dendrobium jenkinsii and how well it was doing mounted, I decided to go ahead and mount mine(given to me by Renee as well). It just didn't seem to be doing much and -k- seemed to be having success with mounting. While I like mounted orchids, I sometimes find it difficult to secure a plant well unless there is someone else around to help hold while I secure. If any of you have young kids or grandkids, you know the newest fad is Silly Bands; neon colored rubber bands that are in the shape of all sorts of things, animals, bugs, instruments, etc. My niece gave me a penguin band as I collect penguins and i thought this might just work. Not wanting to use my beloved penguin band, I ran over to Walgreens, paid $1.99 for a package of 12 and it worked perfect. The bands come in different sizes so I found 2 that would fit snugly but not so snug as to bind into the plant or roots. the orchid is secure and it was amazingly easy to do by myself. What do you think?

[-k-]

How clever is that!!
The mount looks great!

I completely hear you about mounting, I've used fishing line, mesh fencing, etc.. and sometimes I could use an extra pair of hands to do it. It's quite humorous actually well with fishing line all over the place, having it get caught up on groves in the wood! Or trying to adhere the mesh fenching to the back of the wood, Yeesh! it can be quite the production!

[syndywindy]

You are right about fishing line. While it is great not being able to see it after you are all done, it's a royal pain you know where trying to tie it fairly tight by yourself. I thought these bands while maybe not the most professional looking thing one could use, worked great. And as an added bonus, they glow in the dark, so if I go out late at night I can always find my orchid. lol

[PhalNewbie89]

Nice to know that when the fad passes they will be useful.

[Phalcycle]

!!! My Brother's son is crazy about those silly bands. He has hundreds of them, as he loves to collect them. I should try this method out lol

[Onleme]

Hi Synda

I would be a bit worried about them perishing then breaking with exposure to the elements, not sure as I don't know what they are made of.
We use fishing line and you do need extra hands lol but at least it's not going to break and the orchid end up on the ground broke . Good luck with it as it seems like a good idea.

Steve

[katrina]

Clever idea! I've seen all kinds of things used and I say whatever works for you...go for it!

I sometimes use cloth covered wire for floral arranging. It works great on larger plants...not so much on smaller plants. As for the fishing line...I tie a knot like I would w/rope...but I can then continue to tighten it until it's snug...after that it's a go and no trouble. Well, except the fact that one does have to be vigilant about it not getting snagged...which it does easily.

[syndywindy]

Originally Posted by Onleme

Hi Synda

I would be a bit worried about them perishing then breaking with exposure to the elements, not sure as I don't know what they are made of.
We use fishing line and you do need extra hands lol but at least it's not going to break and the orchid end up on the ground broke . Good luck with it as it seems like a good idea.

Steve

Hadn't thought about what being out in the elements might do to these bands. But I guess we will find out .Something tells me they won't self destruct. If it appears to happen at least I can always go back and secure it with fishing line and something is holding everything in place.

[kmarch]

I always use fishing line but by the time I've finished a mount I'm a nervous, frustrated wreck from wrestling with the fishing line. This is a very clever alternative. You could even wrap sphag around the bands to hide them if you didn't want the bright colours sticking out. Just one question: does the rubber "die" in these like a regular rubber band?

[orchids4me]

Originally Posted by Onleme

Hi Synda

I would be a bit worried about them perishing then breaking with exposure to the elements, not sure as I don't know what they are made of.
We use fishing line and you do need extra hands lol but at least it's not going to break and the orchid end up on the ground broke . Good luck with it as it seems like a good idea.

Steve

Well lol she has extras in the pack and if those start cracking with age get more while they are still a fad. What about the cloth covered large elastic hair ties that atr connected with that gold colored crimped metal to keep the ends together to make a circle you can find those everywhere target rite aid in hair product isle where hair brushes are if the fad passes .

[plucker]

Old stockings work a treat and can be more user friendly than fishing line.
Once the stocking rots away the orchid has taken hold on the mount.

[syndywindy]

Originally Posted by kmarch

I always use fishing line but by the time I've finished a mount I'm a nervous, frustrated wreck from wrestling with the fishing line. This is a very clever alternative. You could even wrap sphag around the bands to hide them if you didn't want the bright colours sticking out. Just one question: does the rubber "die" in these like a regular rubber band?

I know what you mean about the fishing line. My old eyes don't see like they used to and I am all clumsy fingered trying to tie it. I don't know if these bands will crack, become brittle and break. Time will tell, I'll let you know. I was out in the yard as it was getting dark and they do glow nicely. lol

[-k-]

So cool that they glow in the dark, and yeah; time will only tell to the integrity of the elastic, but if one goes, just replace it with a new one!

[chrisb19]

Originally Posted by Onleme

Hi Synda

I would be a bit worried about them perishing then breaking with exposure to the elements, not sure as I don't know what they are made of.
We use fishing line and you do need extra hands lol but at least it's not going to break and the orchid end up on the ground broke . Good luck with it as it seems like a good idea.

Steve

Unless you are using fluorocarbon, fishing line will also degrade in time. I prefer to raid my wife's underwear drawer and cut up one of her panty hose. You can cut these into strips and they are very stretchy so you can have any tension that you like and they will accommodate growth. I have seen mounts done with wire that end up girdling the pseudo bulb.

[Anton]

Still can't beat old stockings.

[syndywindy]

I have used pantyhose on a couple occassions and they work great. I don't usually wear hose of any type so used up what I had just wasting away in my drawers.

[zaeem]

Ifeel the elasticity in all kinds of bands is bsed on rubber and after time and exposure it sticks and perishes.but nylon mesh based on fibre should last long.
zaeem

[lmartiny]

What a good idea. My thought was that by the time the rubber dries and it cracks off your plant will be secured by its root system and it won't need further support. I do find myself needing an extra hand working with fishing line.
Chris, don't raid the good stuff, just ask her to save ones that have a run in them. (I'm so glad I don't have to don those much anymore, especially in 95 degree weather)
My son is grown (or getting there) so I am not around young uns. Yet!!
I didn't understand the draw to the silly bands, but, hey, good for the inventer) Reminds me of Pogs from the early (?) 90's and the cards. Magic cards? I don't remember.
Gives me an idea Synda; I could use them to mount a new orchid and use Orange and Blue (go Fl Gators!) and soften any consternation from hubby. Look honey, a Gator orchid.

[syndywindy]

I was thinking the same thing; by the time the bands get brittle(if they do) the root system might have taken hold of the mount. Don't you just love fads? Remember Garbage Pail Kid cards? my kids when they were younger loved them and we still have whole sets of them still in the attic. Along with a huge box of matchbox cars, a huge container of marbles, the tiny beanie babies McDonalds gave away years ago and an assortment of their toys from happy meals. Not quite sure why we've saved these but now not sure what to do with them.

[lmartiny]

They might be worth something one day.

[syndywindy]

I've heard the matchbox cars can be pretty valuable, we must have at least 100 of them. My son just loved to play with those as a child.