Upside down pot mount.

[FLaCo]

I got bored this morning and this idea of mounting somthing on a clay pot upside down. Obviously, the Phal immediately came into mind and I did it. Here it is:

I added the clay saucer because I thought that maybe it will keep water and transfer it or at least kee the bottom (now the top) of the pot moist. I used a 4" orchid pot you can find at lowes added a spag bedding and placed the flushes side of the root ball on it. Added more spag on top and then I slid a piece of mounting tape therough two of the holes on either side to secure the plant.

[Aleksa]

I must admit.... This looks so weird....

But I believe that this is going to look very good when this plant blooms... Interesting idea...

Good luck!

[bkim]

"Upside down pot mount."

I thought you meant something like this:


Anyways, I'm looking forward to seeing how it does in that position. Phals in nature don't grow upright, they're hanging on the sides of branches in trees.

[FLaCo]

Originally Posted by bkim

"Upside down pot mount."

I thought you meant something like this:


Anyways, I'm looking forward to seeing how it does in that position. Phals in nature don't grow upright, they're hanging on the sides of branches in trees.

Aleksa, weird is what it is all about...I can't wait to see roots poping out from the holes...just creeping and wrapping itself around it.

bkim, I have never seen anything like that mount....I may try that sometime.

[solay]

Having a good imagination makes it all the more fun. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think it is interesting for sure and once the roots grows in it will have a more natural appearance. Love to see the blooms come out of it.

The Neo. is incredible with all those roots!!!

[myorchid]

That is great, I like the mount! It will be fun to see how it does and where the roots go.

[Nancy]

I was wondering if a plant could be mounted on the outside of a clay pot. I was thinking of filling the inside of the pot with spag and keeping it wet so that water is absorbed by the pot and keeps the plant hydrated. Has anyone ever tried anything like this?

[FLaCo]

Nancy, you mean the Phal I thought the samething but then I thought...that it would maintain even more moisture with the plant and the spag inside. I'll try both methods and see what pays off...but I think outside it may dry faster.

[FLaCo]

Got an update for you guys. Both type of mounts are doing great. The one inside the pot is doing even better although the outside the pot mount has nothing to envy. Both are pushing new roots everywhere...which tells me they are loving it. The inside the pot mount's spag never seems to COMPLETELY dry out...which I hear is the key to a Phal's success...as opposed to the outside mount which if I don't keep an eye on it...the spag will dry.

Enjoy the pic and update...I know I enjoy viewing other geek updates.

[Orchidementia]

That's a lot of roots! Yowza! Good growing!!

[FLaCo]

Thanks...this was purely experimental for me. I am hopeful it will flourish.

[kmarch]

I think this is clever and even a bit amusing...I'm eager to see how this turns out in a few months.

[evagentry]

Looking good Damien.

[solay]

Wow, looks like they like it. The roots are looking great too. I guess next update will be blooms?

[FLaCo]

Hehe, hopefully Solay..hopefully. Although, I usually take a picture of everything mid-month and post here....I hope that doesn't get redundant.

[PhalPal]

I love it Damien!! Do you just walk around your house looking for things you can attach an orchid too??? I never know what you are going to come up with next!

[FLaCo]

Thank you very much PhalPal! I appreciate the compliment. Soon, I will grab a roof tile and mount a plant on that.

Meanwhile here are some updated pics of the Phals. I have also transferred all but one Phal to the upside down concept.

[snowballsarebad]

I LOVE the pic with the four in a row hanging upside down. I think this is a very good idea...and it would soooooo take care of my phal problem; they take up so much space on my bench, but if I just hung them! Not sure it would be humid enough for them here in winter that way, though.

[FLaCo]

Where do you keep them in the winter. IF it isn't too humid then I am guessing misting more often would be the answer...although, in winter my watering routine is much less.


Thanks for the compliments.. by the way.

[evagentry]

If you do try a mount on a roof tile be sure to post it. Is this a terracotta tile or some other kind?

[FLaCo]

I am not sure what color really. I will make sure to post a picure.

[FLaCo]

This update is for Kevin... his favorite of my amateur experiments.

These Phals are loving life...the side mounted one is growing a new leaf as weel as roots. The upside down one (inside the pot) is on a roid rage. Some of the roots are trying to creep out from the side holes (which is the look I am going for).

[Vivienne]

WOOHOO - Way To Grow Damien. That is so neat!

Thanks for the update... keep us posted.

[dolo3]

Really interesting. Looking at the photos, I was wondering, do you have to keep the support tie on still? If you cut it off, would the sphag, root ball and plant fall out?

[sandra]

I love this Damien! How fun!!!!!

If you think about it, you're really growing these right-side up!

I'm going to have to try this!

P.S. There's a Schomburgkia tibicinus with your name on it, waiting for you.

[martinvermillion]

Bet those large chunks of whatever material I am starting to see den.s potted in would be good for about any upsidedown project? Bet phals would root right into it. Just not sure where to buy it. Anyway you go about it those are really nice mounts. I appreciate you're idea and sharing it with us!

[patticake]

Damien, how cool! I think it was tom499 from the UK that did a similar thing, only his was grown in potting mix and that was held in the pot somehow. I can't find that post so maybe I've been dreaming again!

Anyways, yours looks really awesome and has inspired me to try it with one of my chids. It may be a few weeks since I'm swamped right now, but I will do it- I hope you don't mind me copying you...I'l give you the credit for anyone who asks! I'm picturing the roots going all over the pot....It gives me goose bumps!

[FLaCo]

Originally Posted by dolo3

Really interesting. Looking at the photos, I was wondering, do you have to keep the support tie on still? If you cut it off, would the sphag, root ball and plant fall out?

Dolo, I will be able to remove the tape eventually. The idea is to have the roots move outside and and wrap itself from the inside out. After that happens the plant will not fall out. Right now the plant may stay but with the weight of water on the spag and wind the roots will come off and the plant may fall.

Damien, how cool! I think it was tom499 from the UK that did a similar thing, only his was grown in potting mix and that was held in the pot somehow. I can't find that post so maybe I've been dreaming again!

Anyways, yours looks really awesome and has inspired me to try it with one of my chids. It may be a few weeks since I'm swamped right now, but I will do it- I hope you don't mind me copying you...I'l give you the credit for anyone who asks! I'm picturing the roots going all over the pot....It gives me goose bumps!

Aww c'mon Patti, you actually think I would mind. NOWAY!!! In fact, I might've been the one with idea but you should take the credit because you are the one putting the effort of growing.

[patticake]

Damien, I'll let you know how it goes!

[sara238]

Now you just have to design a pot that is actually meant to be upside down! I can just see a backyard bench with all these orchid flowers dangling all around it.

[FLaCo]

Sara, did you get my private messages? Did it work out for you?

[digitalgate]

hmm.... interesting...

[trinigirl]

Hi Damien,

How are these phals doing? Are they going crazy still?

[hulaorchid]

There are pots made upside down they are called "Down under pots" google them. There are many sites that sell them. It would be interesting to try one!! Just FYI.

[Jirel]

I LOVE this idea, especially since clay pots are so inexpensive. And I have the same problem with my phals, I just have to figure a good way to mount them all.... Oooh, a piece of wood hung upside down would work. Must get to work on that soon!

[FLaCo]

Updates on my upside downs. One pot broke off so I stuck it coconuts for now.

[FLaCo]

The one with the pot has two stems with buds. Look at their thickness!

The one on the coconuts has one stem. I am currently looking for a mount to put it on.

[cassier]

Woohoo! Great growing. Looks like they love'n it.

[trinigirl]

Looks like they are doing really well. Thanks for the update!

[FLaCo]

Big Time!!!!

[Kayla]

It seems like there are so many different things that you can do with orchids

[FLaCo]

Originally Posted by Kayla

It seems like there are so many different things that you can do with orchids

Orchids are adaptation machines. As long as you care for its basic necessities it will adapt. It does help that we have a sub-tropical climate over here.

[articuno75]

Originally Posted by FLaCo

The one with the pot has two stems with buds. Look at their thickness!

The one on the coconuts has one stem. I am currently looking for a mount to put it on.

He looks to be mounted to the coconut just fine.

[dtje2000]

Oh, my heart! I did the google thing for the down-under-pots... uh, at $14 a pop for the cheapest (then add S&H), I think using the 2-buck clay pot idea works fine, then spend the other $12 on a new phal!

I just got an upside-down mounted phal on grapevine (from our buddy Jerry), and I'm quite excited to see how she grows!

[virgil]

I have a friend that has a lot of over grown catts, I have been helping her repot , after seeing this , the next time we repot a big over grown, I am going to break a piece of the pot that has bulbs growing down the side and keep it as a mount, don't have to worry about losing good roots from scrapeing them from the old clay,

[lmartiny]

Good idea Virgil.

[Moonshiner]

I REALLY like this idea! But being new to this scene, I need to ask what would be a good candidate for this in an outdoor environment where the plant would get direct morning sun from about 9-11. I don't want to burn anybody up, but I would like to try growing something outside instead.

Also, are they getting the moisture from just placing water in the clay saucer? Such a great idea, where it seems impossible to over water as it hydrates through the clay pot and then into the moss. I guess. Maybe.