Removing a plant from cork bark (probably a Ross question)

[dan d]

I was going to search the forum on this one, but then I realized that each plant varity might have a different answer. I saw a Aerangis luteo-alba rhodostrcta on Ross's blog and just had to have one, I ordered it from Orchid's limited (orchid web) in Minnisota. I recieved it today looking very healthy and in good shape. I want to mount it on a piece of driftwood in my terrium but it is "dug right into" the cork bark. I will remove/ destroy 75 percent of the roots removing it. Any tricks to this ? any websites or posts here to reference me too ? Im a bonsai person so Im not afraid of root pruning, but maybe my bonsai technics dont work on orchids LOL I was going to pm Ross on this one, but I figured the more responces I get, the more I will learn. And thats what I enjoy about growing plants is the learning.

[unhappykat]

I wouldnt remove the plant from the cork mount. If possible could you just mount the piece of cork in the terrarium or maybe mount the cork onto the driftwood then put it in the terrarium, if you destry 75% of the roots there is a real possibility that you could kill the plant.

[unhappykat]

do you have any pictures of the plant and the prospective mount?

[dan d]

My nephew has my digital camera right now. I want and need to learn more about these unusual plants. The roots dont look like they do much besides anchor the plant, I dont see any hair roots that are the normal moisture/ nutrient gathering part of the plant.

[unhappykat]

Very few orchids have hairs on the roots, really what you see is the velamen covering that serves several purposes. First it does anchor the plant to any surface available so it can grow in its prefered position. Second the velamin soaks up nutrients and water so they can be stored for a period before a plant can use them, they look plump when healthy but when allowed to dry you will notice they seem shriveled because the plant is sucking them dry. Third the roots help nourish the plant by performing Photosynthesis under the velamin covering, this allows the roots to produce additional food for the plant as it grows.

Orchids are not like typical Bonsai plants, they seldom like to be repotted with a few exceptions, and they never like being ripped from a mount especially when they are happy. You cant just slice the roots off an orchid and expect it to be fine, with the exception of Vandas, but thats a different story.

If you want to learn more about this particular species here is a link

IOSPE PHOTOS

You should really consider leaving it alone and maybe finding a potted specimen to mount, unless you are ready to spend many months and even years nursing it back to health after scaring it to death.

[cb977]

I've removed plants from mounts before but the ones that are really embedded in the cork isn't, in my opinion, a good idea

[dan d]

Thanks for the link unhappykat, Im learning, thats for sure, I would have never guessed this was such a concern, I figured thier roots were "just anchors" fasinating plants !

[gmdiaz]

I've done it too. . .

I soaked one of mine that wasn't firmly attached. I was able to very gently pry up the roots one at a time, a tiny bit by tiny bit. . .really gently. They just popped right off the mount.

But this won't work if yours is really really attached. If so, it's going to cause a lot of damage to the roots, so I'd just leave it alone to enjoy its happy home.