Mounting attempt

[pikevi]

Hi,

I am not sure I understood the real meaning of mounting. But I hope this query comes under this category.

I spent a few hours constructing (very amateurish attempt - pl. see photo) a 'mounting stand' with african red wood logs (which I use in my aquariums) and a fairly large dead trunk of an apricot tree (80cm in height and 20cm in diameter).

I managed to get room for about 5 orchids. I tried to create 5 shallow depressions, at least 8cm deep each, using selected appropriately shaped redwood.

I have fairly small orchids in the folllowing kinds ( genera):

Ansellia, Brassia, Rodriguezia, Miltonia and 1 Vanda. The Cymbidiums, Oncidiums and the Phals are too large to be considered for mounting. I am planning to use one Phal, unless someone suggests otherwise. The vanda has to be used as one as well ,since the current setup I have is apparently not good for it.

Could anyone please suggest which three ( or even all five) I should select?

Thank you.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Ansellias and Brassias get pretty big, Miltonia maybe slightly smaller. Rodriguezia is perfect. Most Vandas are pretty big unless it is an Ascocenda. Look for an Oncidium Twinkle. They are small, come in three colors, and some are probably still in bloom and available.

[pikevi]

Thanks Cynthia.

I will use one of the two rodriguezias I have and the rest Phals for now.
I have Paph. makuli and Paph. liemianum which I don't want too risk with my mounting. Same goes for my Oncidium ornithorrhycum.

[pikevi]

Just for the sake of completion!

It was with a heavy heart I removed the plants from the pots! I hope they will be fine.

Hoping for the best:Expecting the worst:Will accept whatever happens!

If anyone is interested a photo is attached.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Well, the hard part now will be the problem of keeping them watered right. If you have to go away for a few days, you might be well advised to find a very large baggy, maybe from a dry cleaners, to throw over the whole thing to keep it from drying so quickly while you are away.

[pikevi]

OK Cynthia.

Or I will ask some one to take care of it for me or just automate 'drips'.

As usual, I have not thought that far yet

Thanks.

[Winterwhite]

While I'm too new to give valuable advice as to which orchids should be placed on the stand but wanted to say that I think the stand is a great structure. You have given me some ideas that I might consider. Good luck with your mounts. Winterwhite

[pikevi]

Hi Winterwhite,

Now I am looking for a 6-foot high tree trunk with lots of huge knots or branches to work on!!. I hope I will get one before this summer.

Cynthia has a valid point. Watering or creating a near rainforest environment may be hard , especially when one does not have a GH.

Good luck with your 'soon to be' project. We will look forward to it.

(PS: Stay away from red wood.. it is almost like concrete to drill on)