Inorganic Mounts for Orchids

[dnatural1]

In a recent thread on Ghost orchids a couple of contributors said that it is possible to use inorganic mounts for orchids. I like the idea of long lasting mounts and once tried to grow Sarcochilus falcatus (an epiphytic orchid native to Australia) on the outside of terracotta "jug". I filled the "jug with moist sphagnum moss for moisture retention. Did not persist far with the trial as I became concerned that the clay may exude salts that are toxic to the plant.

Questions that come to mind include: what minerals can leach out of terracotta one has to be wary of?, can these be removed by pre-soaking the pot?, what other mineral mounts have been tried? How do inorganic mounts compare with cork?

[Ray]

Assuming the terra-cotta has been properly fired, submerging it in an excess of plain water for a days or two ought to extract pretty much and residual salts.

I've grown plants mounted on inverted clay flower pots I've silicone glued to a tray, and filled it with water. I didn't even soak them and had no issues.

Epiweb, a product out of Sweden, is a plastic mounting material that is simply the material used to make rotary floor scrubber pads.

[WaterWitchin]

I used to use Texas Holey Rock for mounts. Loved the way it performed. Has just enough roughness texture to grip well. I just don't now, as I don't have time for mounted orchids at the moment.

Also used deer horns... which are still organic sort of, but more long-lasting by far.

[dnatural1]

Hi Ray, WaterWitchin,

Belated tks for your replies. I will have another go at using terracotta with base in some sort of water reservoir. Previously I used moist sphagnum in the pot to keep things moist. Could also use rockwool for that purpose, I suppose, so as to keep things inorganic and longlasting.

Joe P.