mounting straight onto stone chimney?

[Orchidity]

Heya,

I've been wondering about this. In my living room I have a wide open space and big stone fireplace and chimney that goes up about 28' before shooting through the roof. It gets a good bit of light, facing directly south with windows from floor to ceiling. Do you think its possible to mount orchids directly to the stone? If so, what should I start off with (both orchid and mixture for roots)?

I know, maybe crazy, but its been on my mind lately, so I figured I would ask.

Thanks.

[made4engineering]

Umm... well... I guess so. But any smoke and dry, hot air will kill them quickly. Would the surface of the stone not get hot? Anyways... how would you water them?

[Maxxreps]

I would not spend much $$ on an orchid you attempt to mount there, buddy... I think you'd have better luck with one of the climbing orchid cactus (Epiphylum?) as I have had those survive months without watering on a cyprus knee in my living room. If the temp of the stone gets much into the 90's I'd give up trying anything living... Just some thoughts. Hope it helps.

[kmarch]

How would you water an orchid mounted to your chimney? Usually mounted orchids are soaked or sprayed heavily. In you case soaking would be out, and spraying, well the water would rundown the chimney and onto any mantle you'd have then probably onto the floor, and you'd have to spray it once or twice a day. IMHO there are some practical problems to overcome.

[exasperatus2002]

sounds like a great place for some vanilla.

[Debbie Hayden]

Why not just mount it on wood and attach that to your chimney?

[kmarch]

Excellent suggestion Debbie, certainly more clever than this nay-sayer. A mounted orchid could be removed to water and to be protected form fireplace heat.

Cheers to you Debbie! Clever orchidgeek of the day!

[Debbie Hayden]

Thankyou...Thankyou very much.

[kmarch]

Also if you had lots of mounted orchids you'd probably always have one in bloom to hang on the fireplace. You could just switch them out.

[made4engineering]

Oooh Here's a better idea. Forget the fire.... Use the chimney solely for orchids! You could build a big pot-thing around the fireplace, fill it with dirt, and grow some more orchids in that!

[PhalPal]

I like to bring my bloomers downstairs so I am not stuck up in the orchid room staring at them! I put some on my fireplace mantle but always move them when we light the fire. Mounting orchids on rocks is not a new concept; have you thought about mounting your orchid on a rock (lithophytes) similiar to the stone in your fireplace?? Just the decorator in me making a statement.

Debbie your new avatar is ADORABLE!!! Have you heard about the new study that proved people who own cats have 40% less heart disease?

[Maxxreps]

Debbie that is a great idea! I have 5 species Brassavola on cork that I hang directly on painted dry wall. Sometimes I have to pry the roots off the wall to get them outside to water them!

[epiphyte]

I say go for it... try using one of those common and cheap oncidiums. Not sure how your fireplace is set up but might need to use some tillandsia glue to attach the orchid to the stone. In terms of moisture, a horizontal flat stone (especially one with a nice little water catching indentation) would be a better choice than a vertical stone and it would help to have some sphagnum moss between the orchid and the stone...I recommend New Zealand over green.

[Debbie Hayden]

Boy-O-Boy, Phalpal. That's good news since my cholesterol has been a little high, lately!

[fred]

Sorry to come in here but can we please keep the General Chitchat in the chitchat section Please

This thread is for information on Orchid Mounting please try to stay on Topic

here is a link to the moved posts.

thank you.

http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/gen...html#post56048

[Orchidity]

Greetings all,

Thanks much for the many replies.

The chimney and fireplace are quite large, with fireplace (and insert) offset to one side. Additionally, this is a block chimney faced with rock, so there is quite a bit of insulation. Lastly, the flue coming from basement is seldom used, so there is a good bit of surface that would not get overly warm.

I had presumed I could find plants that adapt well to mounting on rock that would also require very frequent misting, rather than drenching, though overall the long-term maintenance probably makes it less than ideal.

Originally, the plan was to put mounted (cork, slab, branches) plants on the chimney, which I will likely do, but the mind wanders to other possibilities, and it never hurts to ask.

Thanks again for the expertise!

[slippery_biscuit]

I like concept... I just turned around and looked at my own fireplace. Rock from floor to ceiling, lots of places for roots to get into. Could go over on the far end away from the firebox and heat would not be an issue. A rock clinging lalia, maybe?? Sufficient light is an issue. Maybe another time and place. Always good to think "outside of the box" now and then.

[BlakeeBoo]

I love to mount on brick it is porous and can keep in moisture.

[kmarch]

Show us some of your brick-mounted orchids Blakeeboo.

[BlakeeBoo]

I do not have any at the moment but would you like to see some of the bricks i am soaking to be mounted and the phal i am getting ready to mount?

[fred]

Quote BlakeeBoo] I love to mount on brick it is porous and can keep in moisture.

Quote BlakeeBoo]I do not have any at the moment but would you like to see some of the bricks i am soaking to be mounted and the phal i am getting ready to mount?

BlakeeBoo this seems to be a case of false information.
with your first statement.

[made4engineering]

Blakeboo, you don't need to soak the bricks. We would love to see pictures of the plant attached to the brick. Im sure you can have it done in no time- you seem like such an expert...

[BlakeeBoo]

What are you talking about fred old clay bricks which are what i use are very porous and retain water for several days when soaked. You can not how ever use fly ash bricks or newer brick that are fired at a much higher temp than older ones since those temps were not reachable with older technology.

[fred]

I would love to see some photos of your work

[BlakeeBoo]

Kk i should be able to get a pic up by friday cause that is when i get back in town.