My first mount for a sad plant

[Filb]

Hey guys,
So I bought a Prosthechea (Anacheilium?) vespa and upon closer inspection today, noticed all of its roots were dead.
I also had to cut off one pseudobulb because it was rotting from the base. AND, to top it off, I accidentally broke the newest growth cutting back all of the dead stuff.

This plant was rather ill-fated from the start and I certainly didn't help by breaking its best chance for survival.
Anyway, I decided to mount it using a piece of driftwood and am goona hope for the best.

Have any of you tried mounting a rootless 'chid before? What were the results?
Also...how did I do..?

[mayres]

Are you going to hang/grow this in a home environment or in a greenhouse?
Providing good humidity will go a long way in assisting your plant. I've tried a number of mounts trying to "salvage" an orchid that was in decline. While my home conditions seem to generally do OK for a mounted plant that starts out relatively healthy, I've only managed to prolong the dying experience for several that I've tried to save this way. This is NOT to say that YOU might be totally successful in your endeavor - from the photos is certainly appears to be salvageable......GOOD LUCK!

[Shannara]

Yeah, good humidity and maybe some root stimulator sprayed on the sphagnum. I would avoid fertilizing until you see new roots. I have brought back some pretty awful looking chids by just keeping up with using root stimulators and medium light. High light exposure can be too much for these strugglers. Morning sun isn't too harsh so I put strugglers where they won't get afternoon or late afternoon sun. They dry out too quickly.

You've done all you can up to this point. Just keep a close eye on it. Orchids can really surprise you with the kind of stuff they can recover from!

Shann~

[Dendian]

I mounted a rootless mini catt on one of my "swampsticks" - a clay tube that gets filled with water to keep it damp but not sopping wet. I am happy to report that there are tons of new roots - and the leaves look much better - I am even seeing some new growths on the plant. So I have just mounted another unhappy mini catt on another swamp stick..

I think the key is to give it enough water to keep the plant from drying up completely - while keeping it dry enough to tell it to start roots. Its a balancing act - but one that can and has been done.

[Filb]

Thanks guys.
Mike, I grow all my 'chids in the house. But I just acquired a neat plant stand with a plastic cover that I can use to increase humidity and temperature.
I stuck my poor little guy in there on the lowest shelf so it doesn't get hit with too much sun.

Shann, thanks for the tip about spraying it with root stimulator. I'll give that a go!

[otis 226]

Originally Posted by Dendian

I mounted a rootless mini catt on one of my "swampsticks" - a clay tube that gets filled with water to keep it damp but not sopping wet. I am happy to report that there are tons of new roots - and the leaves look much better - I am even seeing some new growths on the plant. So I have just mounted another unhappy mini catt on another swamp stick..

Okay, so please tell me, what swamp do I look for swampsticks in? They sound fascinating.
I think the 'chid has a better than 50-50 chance. You did a good job with the mount so keep humidity at 70-75% if possible and hope for the best. I've brought some back and have also prolonged the death of several others.
Best,
Tony

[Dendian]

Originally Posted by otis 226

Okay, so please tell me, what swamp do I look for swampsticks in? They sound fascinating.

The only swamp I know to find them at is online.
SwampStick Ceramic Orchid Mount - Home

They work very well - if you want to see a few with plants on them, check out my thread: http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/cat...ans-sophy.html

[Brooke]

In the third picture isn't that a new eye ready to pop out? If it is the new growth the roots will attach to the mount.

If I might make a suggestion please look at the third picture and note how this plant *climbs* as it grows. You have positioned the plant at the top - a couple of future growths and it will be off the mount, dangling in the air.

Since you have no viable roots I would put the plant at the bottom and let future growths climb the mount.

Good luck - Brooke

[Filb]

Originally Posted by Brooke

In the third picture isn't that a new eye ready to pop out? If it is the new growth the roots will attach to the mount.

If I might make a suggestion please look at the third picture and note how this plant *climbs* as it grows. You have positioned the plant at the top - a couple of future growths and it will be off the mount, dangling in the air.

Since you have no viable roots I would put the plant at the bottom and let future growths climb the mount.

Good luck - Brooke

Yes, that part that is sticking out is the newest growth.
However it was growing in a completely different plane than the rest of the plant.
How do I position it so that the part with the new growth is onto the mount?

Also is it better to change its orientation now or should I wait for it to be a little less stressed before I rip it off the mount?

Thank you so much for your advice!

[syndywindy]

Yes! I have mounted a catt I got from SVO and just about sent to an early demise this past June. I should take a picture of it to show you the roots this thing has now just a few months later. I could easily take the fishline off and it will remain firmly attached to the mount. Unbelievable how this plant responded to mounting!

[RebelCowgirl]

Originally Posted by Dendian

The only swamp I know to find them at is online.
SwampStick Ceramic Orchid Mount - Home

They work very well - if you want to see a few with plants on them, check out my thread: http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/cat...ans-sophy.html

Wow the swampsticks sound very interesting, I would love to try one

[Brooke]

When you mount an orchid that climbs, locate where the newest growth will emerge and put it next to the mount. This way it climbs up the mount and the roots attach quickly. If it is mounted with the new growth facing you, the roots have to travel a distance before they attach. I've always wondered if this type climber grows in the mountains?

Don't worry your plant doesn't have any roots, there won't be any ripping involved.

Brooke