First try at mounting

[Nancy]

I had a piece of tree fern and I decided I wanted to try mounting something on it. I went to Loew's and bought a Rodrumnia. I put it against the tree fern and laid spag over the roots. I then covered the spag with bird netting and secured it with green twist ties. It's not pretty. I was just wondering if the way I did it would be good for the plant. I didn't sandwich the plant in the spag because of the need for quick drying by this type of plant. I thought I would spray the spag ever day and soak the whole thing once a week. I was wondering if this was an acceptable way of mounting this plant and whether anyone has any suggestions on how to make it plant friendly.

[PhalPal]

I am not familiar with Rodrumnia and it's needs, but I have quite a few Blc's and mini Catts that are mounted on cork bark doing very well. Catts need to drain and dry out as well, and I chose to put a little bit of spraghum between the bark and roots. I did this mostly to protect fragile root tips since cork is very craggy. I also live in a much dryer area and need the extra moisture retention. I still drench each mount every single day with a pressure sprayer; they will be bone dry by morning.

However you can get the plant to stay secure on the mount will work until the roots take hold and can support the plant. I use fishing twine and just wrap wrap wrap until it is nice and snug. I know lots of growers who use nylons or netting of some sort and it works fine for them. If the roots are safe and not restricted by the netting you should be fine.

[patticake]

Hi! I've only done one mount so far, but it is a Phal. I used a little sphagnum moss & a couple of charcoal bits underneath the roots, and a little sphag. on top to protect the roots from the clear nylon thread. I wrapped it gently but securely. ( not tight!) I liked the fact that it looked totally natural when done. I can cut the threads down the road when (and if!!!) the roots become established on the mount. In the mean time- they don't show up and don't hurt anything. I'm in upstate NY and have low humidity, so I need to water once or twice a day-depending on the weather. Keep us posted on your progress.
I would LOVE to see photos if you're able!

[patlee]

That Celtic Frost I got from Joe, I am torn between mounting it and experimenting with hydroton Any opinions ( I also have a few Tolumnia that I want to do something with, too...)

[Nancy]

I would say mount the Tolumnia. It is easy to do and the roots should get the drying out they need.

[Andrew]

Sounds good, Nancy. So long as the plant is firmly tied to the mount so that it doesn't move, it should be OK. If the plant is loose on the mount the roots will struggle to attach. Personally, I prefer to use fishing line to tie the plant on as its fairly unobtrusive and easy to remove once the plant has attached. Orchid roots have a habit of growing through netting/pantyhose, which makes it tedious to remove without pulling the plant off its mount.

[PhalPal]

I have two Tolumnia mounted and they are doing great. it's the only sure way I can be sure it dries out completely between waterings.

[Nancy]

I thought nothing would be easier than twist ties to undo and they can be used over. The bird netting can hardly be seen and it hols the spag on the mount nicely. It doesn't look very natural, but the plant looks good so far. I read that a newly mounted plant should be kept in low light and watered intermittantly. Have you all found this to be true?

[PhalPal]

Andrew makes a good point above about the roots wrapping around the net. Nothing is worse than breaking off new root tips when repotting or remounting. With fishing line you just cut it and it slips right off from under new roots.

I never withhold water or light after mounting, it's just my preference. I do mount mostly Phals which do not have pseudobulbs for reserves; it may be completely different with your orchid.

[Nancy]

I didn't think of that. It seems to me if the roots become entangled inthe netting I could probably leave it where it is. It's so fine I don't think it will impede growth in any way. I guess I'll learn a lot doing it this way. I've got more to mount, but I'm going to hold off on mounting those until I see how this one makes out. Thank you all for the advice.

[PhalPal]

Let us know how your mounts go Nancy. I never really 'unmount' a plant and you may do the same and the net won't ever be a problem. Try it lots of ways until you find a method that workd for you.

How about a picture?????

[Nancy]

I'm really surprized at how well it's doing. The leaves are bright green and the roots themselves are growing. Thanks for all your help.