Up or down...Need directions...

[patlee]

I am just trying my first mounts and I hope this question doesn't sound stupid Is there a rule of thumb by which you can tell which way to mount an orchid You know, like a Tolumnia has the roots pointed to the ground and the leaves growing upright. A Phal. would have the roots in the air and the leaves pointing to the ground because that is the way it grows in nature...I'm just trying to get things growing in the right direction--any ideas? Does it even matter or is it all just personal preference

[brookn]

Well, I do know that a phal would have the leaves pointing down to the ground. Phals grow this way to keep water from collecting in the crown.

[Nancy]

I think it has to do with the way the plant is growing. I recently mounted a Laelia that was growing very straight in its pot. In other words, no climbing. I mounted it for a horizontal mount and the turned the moung so that all the bps are facing downward. The newest pb is beginning to orient itself upright and I expect subsequent pbs to do the same. A lot of Cattleyas and Oncidiums are clumbers. I mount them at the bottom of the mounts so that they will have space to grow upward. I hope this helps.

[patlee]

Thanks Nancy and Brookn. I think it all comes down to a little logic and a lot of personal preference...

[Nancy]

I think one needs a psychology degree sometimes to figure out what the plant wants. For a plant that outshines itself when mounted try Hawkinsara Sogo Doll 'Little Angel' It is one of the most accomodating plants I have ever grown on a mount. I can't wait to see the other mounts you create!

[jerrymeola]

Nancy has it right with one qualification.

The plant will change its mind and do something different next year.

I had one I loved that was growing in both directions and flowered at both ends. It looked great symmetrical around the mount. The plant decided it was too much effort and one half died off and the other half continued just fine.

[Nancy]

Jerry, I'm sorry to hear that. I think you've posted pictures of that plant and it was absolutely gorgeous. What do you do with a mount when half your plant dies. I imagine you would remove the dead half but what can you do with a big empty space? Maybe mount another plant growing the other way?