Tree Fern

[Suresh Kalyanpur]

I have read on the OB friends talking about mounting orchids on 'Tree Fern'. My question is what is a Tree Fern and what does it look like. I'd like to request someone to put up a picture of an orchid mounted on tree fern - preferably a close-up.

Thanks you in advance.

[Ray]

"Tree fern", as a mounting- or potting medium, is the dried-out trunk of any number of tropical tree ferns, often of the genus dicksonia. It is a coarse, wiry, fibrous material that doesn't absorb a great deal of water, but does hold some in the interstices between fibers.

In some parts of the world, the ferns have been harvested almost out of existence - there are probably some species already wiped out.

A Google image search turned up this:http://wow-orchids.com/images/sarcochilus2.jpg

[got ants]

Here is where I get mine. Literally walking distance from my house.....

http://www.browardorchidsupply.com/TreefernMounts.html

A couple of my chids on tree fern...

[got ants]

If you look closely at the first pic, you'll see how it hangs..

It hs a straight galvy wire hanger run right thru it. The bottom has a washer, bend the wire and it won't slide off. The top is U-bent to hang on 2x4s.

A lil trick I learned is hollowing the top out in a small cone shape to put a lil slow release fertilizer. Simple watering will continuously fertilize it.

[Ross]

Following on Ray's comments, tree fern as a natural product should probably be avoided by orchid growers who are concerned about the environment. There is a suitable replacement called EcoWeb available from lots of distributors as well as better-equipped local vendors. Here is link to Ray's store https://www.firstrays.com/cgi/cart/c...1248885476.176

[Suresh Kalyanpur]

Thanks Ray. Got Ants and Ross for your inputs