How to Mount this Brassavola Little Stars

[naturalistSean]

I have just received this Brassavola Little Stars in the mail. I am hoping to mount it on some cork bark I have.

However, I'm confused on how to remove it from the plastic pot it came in. As you can see from the photos the roots go through little holes in a rather thick piece of plastic.

Any ideas on how to proceed with this?

[estación seca]

You're stuck. Removing the plastic would seriously damage almost all the roots. I think that's a very bad idea going into winter.

Just attach the plastic to the wood. There is no other option good for the plant. Eventually it will grow off the plastic. Then you can put another piece of wood next to the first, let it crawl onto that, then cut the rhizome and leave the old part behind.

We'd like to see more of the dog. There is a Pets forum here too.

[Roberta]

Totally agree with ES. Same treatment as you'd use if a plant outgrows a mount. Just tie it to your mount, and the plant will do the rest. In a couple of years you won't need the ties any more... the basket/pot or old mount simply become irrelevant eventually. What a gorgeous root system!

[naturalistSean]

Thanks estacíon seca and Roberta! It had occurred to me that it might be best to just mount the whole thing but I was concerned that the holes might restrict the roots too much. This is my first Brassavola. I look forward to smelling it when it blooms. It appears to have bloomed in the past so hopefully I won't have to wait too long.

Originally Posted by estación seca

We'd like to see more of the dog. There is a Pets forum here too.

We have two rescue doggies from South Africa (where I met my wife). We are on a trip in Germany now but when we get back to Austria I'll post some photos.

[SG in CR]

A good mount is generally pretty tight, so that there is no room for movement between the plant and the mount. Just tying the plastic down that tight will probably break a lot of the roots. You might want to make a small hollow part behind where you want to mount the plastic to give the majority of the roots a place to be without getting smashed.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by SG in CR

A good mount is generally pretty tight, so that there is no room for movement between the plant and the mount. Just tying the plastic down that tight will probably break a lot of the roots. You might want to make a small hollow part behind where you want to mount the plastic to give the majority of the roots a place to be without getting smashed.

Good point. While I don't like moss between the plant and the mount because the roots tend to grow into the moss or it stays too wet, here it might be good to make a "pillow" of sphagnum to protect the roots. Or use the dry "green moss" that is used in floral arrangements (available at crarft-supply stores) - it doesn't hold much moisture but would still give you a springy "bed" for the roots. It's the new roots that will attach to the mount but you do need to protect the existing ones too. And if the roots are well-soaked (and soften a bit) you may even be able to untangle them a little.

[naturalistSean]

Thanks again folks! I have a particularly craggy piece of bark that I think will be well suited for this plant. The crags should provide space for the roots to grow without being squished.