My first attempt at mounting

[patticake]

I purchased a second Phal. amboinensis from a different grower. It wasn't as large as the one from Oak Hill. (and that one was small!) I wanted to try to do a mounting, but didn't want to mess up my project plant! I used a fine clear nylon thread, and didn't pull too tight. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

[jay]

Nice mount.

You should keep track of both their growth habits so you can compare even within your own climate. Could be a fun experiment.

[fred]

Patti you have done a great job with your first attempt with mounting an orchid

looks pretty good Congrats

[patticake]

Thanks, Fred! Jay, You've been very helpful tonight- Thanks again! I'll try that!

[articuno75]

It looks awesome!

How long did it take you to do yours? Mine was a pain in the batushkies, until I got the hang of it.

Woo Hoo! We're going to start a trend here !!!

[patticake]

Yea, Jenny - My batushkies were pretty sore when I was done. It took about 15-20 minutes. Once I got the thread tied and anchored I thought this will be o.k.- then the thread kept getting tangled. I finally got the rhythm down and it went pretty smooth after that!

[articuno75]

Is that all?

Nobody laugh......Well okay go into hysterics. It took me over an hour to do mine. I was half way done and the string got tangled,,,,,,bad. I fought with the stupid thing the whole time to get it undone and save my progress. At this point I thought I made a mistake and was going to kill my plant. And yes I became very unlady like.

I saved what I could and started a new point. Was it worth it? So far yes in my book cause I wanted the look.

[Tobi]

Looks great Patti. Is that the piece of grapewood you got at the orchid show?

[patticake]

Up-Date... 6/11/08... My Phal. amboinensis mounted, is finally doing something!! My project plant is doing great, but the other one from Larry's orchids, is just starting to grow!!!
Sandra, see? You're not the only one to get a crappy plant!!! This is myPhal. amb. from Larry's, not the one from Oak Hill!

[Nancy]

Patti, your mount is beautiful and it looks very natural. I've been using twist ties and bird netting to hold my mounts together and they definately don't have the same lookk as yours. I think I'm going to have to rethink the pantyhose thing. Great job!

[Aleksa]

Great mount pattycake! It looks very natural. Can't wait to see the flowers!

Mounting isn't actually big deal, just tie the plant to the wood, add some moss, and mist daily and that is it!

[patticake]

Nancy and aleksa! I'm excited that it's growing! Yay!

[kid a]

ummm. ok

Patty: It looks so cute, you did a great job!

[patticake]

Originally Posted by Tobi

Looks great Patti. Is that the piece of grapewood you got at the orchid show?

Tobi- sorry it took so long to respond! Yes, It's the piece that I bought at your show. I love it.
Thanks, Kortney! and the other post....

[MrsConnie]

that looks fantastic!

[Bird Song Farm]

Patty, that's a very nice natural looking mounting job! My first one was a pain also but once you get the hang of it they go pretty fast. I have all my species phals mounted now on cork but have to get a piece of grapewood for the next one (due in the mail next week).
AL

[davetheorchidaddict]

I may be a copicat but it really looks good. I have found that using the electrical plastic cable ties. I link as many as I need to go around the mount and orchid and pull them tight, because the orchids root fast I cut them off in a short period of time. I had trouble getting twine, fish line and wire tangled.

[Rocinante]

I'm about to join the club. I want to mount my tolumnias to tree fern slabs. Right now they're growing bare-root in 1-inch clay pots. I'm just waiting to have the time to git 'er done! Did you use fine grade fishing line?

[patticake]

Wow! An old thread! The plant on the mount has a nice new big leaf now! I'll have to update the picture soon. The Phal. amboinensis on it is doing well. My other one that I got from Oak Hill for the project, is doing great! I'll update soon. Good luck with your mounts, John! I used a fine clear thread from a quilting store. It's a little tricky to work with, but it's nice to not see it when it's done.

[Rocinante]

Originally Posted by patticake

I used a fine clear thread from a quilting store. It's a little tricky to work with, but it's nice to not see it when it's done.

I think I'll try that as well, Patti. I'll go to Michael's, an arts and crafts store we have in this area. Thanks!

[patticake]

I'm not sure that Michaels would have it. Someplace that sells fabric, like JoAnns or some WalMarts would have it. Good luck! If you can't find any-PM me w/your address- I'll send you some!

[FLaCo]

Patti, how about a picture update?

[PhalPal]

It looks beautiful Patti!! Nice log.

I just fine fishing line and a staple gun. I put a staple on the back of the mount and tie my line to it, then continue wrapping until I think it's secure. At this point I cut the line and tie it to the first staple. Staples are also good for 'tightening' the wraps, especially if you use a log like cork bark that has a curve to it. Works great!!

[christinek]

Great Job Patti!! I look forward to seeing it grow and prosper.. Keep up the good work hon..

[Rocinante]

Originally Posted by patticake

I'm not sure that Michaels would have it. Someplace that sells fabric, like JoAnns or some WalMarts would have it. Good luck! If you can't find any-PM me w/your address- I'll send you some!

Thanks, Patti! I'm sure I'll find it. Michael's was the first thing I could think of as an example. I'll be sure to contact you if I don't find it.

[chefatplay]

Your mount is very, very nice. I also like the grapewood. I used 30# fishing line to mount mine. Hubby did the tying while I held everything on.

[JESSS]

Thanks to Duncan who was at the World Orchid Conference I have been very successful with the old staple gun and mesh gutter guard. It can be cut to size, mesh and staples are removed after the roots have grown into the mount. It is also great for mounting on trees. Try it sometimes. <Just try not to mount your fingers> ....(:

[lmartiny]

Hi Patti, Your last pict was in June. how's your mounted orchid coming along?

[JESSS]

OOps Ding dong that was 2007 It must be a tree by now. Thats a newbie for you.
Any way I broke the ice.
You can also use cable ties. Remember to put cutting on surface and spagnum on top. Tie firmly, not tight. When using ties for trees cut ties after roots have taken as it can choke limbs.

[patticake]

It's nice to meet you, Jesss! If you go to the introductions, you can say "hi" to everyone! It's good to have you with us! I'll post a picture of it tomorrow. It's not a tree, that's for sure! The Geeks have a project going with the plant Phal. amboinensis. I have two. One is potted up traditionally, and doing very well, and the other is this mount! It's alive and well, but I think it"s only grown one new leaf in all this time! They're growing in different spots in the house, and the mounted one was smaller to begin with since it was from a different grower.

[lmartiny]

Yes, welcome Jesss. I'm actually right down the road from you tonight here at the beach on N. Hutchinson Island . We have a couple of friends there in Pt St Lucie.
We live over in Tampa. You'll find a few FL geeks here.

[kmarch]

Hey Patti, how's the mount that started this thread doing?

[patticake]

Originally Posted by patticake

It's nice to meet you, Jesss! If you go to the introductions, you can say "hi" to everyone! It's good to have you with us! I'll post a picture of it tomorrow. It's not a tree, that's for sure! The Geeks have a project going with the plant Phal. amboinensis. I have two. One is potted up traditionally, and doing very well, and the other is this mount! It's alive and well, but I think it"s only grown one new leaf in all this time! They're growing in different spots in the house, and the mounted one was smaller to begin with since it was from a different grower.

Here's a picture of it now...Hardly a tree! The one leaf in the middle is the new one. The older leaves came from the grower kind of beat up. I didn't abuse the poor thing! It's also lost 2 small original leaves.

[fred]

aww Patti give yourself some credit
the plant looks great nice and healthy
congrats

[kmarch]

So far so good. Unhappy plants don't grow nice healthy leaves.

[lmartiny]

Hang in there. Sometimes only time will tell.

[Brooke]

Patti your ambo is typical of this species. In the dictionary if you look up the word SLOW - you will find a picture of the amboinensis.

New leaf + green roots = success

Brooke

[Bird Song Farm]

Originally Posted by Brooke

Patti your ambo is typical of this species. In the dictionary if you look up the word SLOW - you will find a picture of the amboinensis.

New leaf + green roots = success

Brooke

Boy, I can second this Brooke. Mine is just standing still. Of course, a viscious slug attack this summer didn't help when he wiped out the newest leaf!
Al