Mounting oncidium ascendens w/o sphagnum - Orchid Board

cl2cayo · #1 07-25-2010, 08:10 PM

Hi all - I'm brand new here and need help desperately! I rescued a rather large (about 2 feet in diameter) oncidium ascendens and need to mount it. I have the wood, but no sphagnum is to be found here. Would coconut fiber work? That is easy to get. I've attached a small picture - the floor tiles are 18", so you can see how large it is. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Swamper · #2 07-25-2010, 08:15 PM

Welcome to the OB. I can't help you but I'm sure some else can and will. I have had great success with vanda mounts and a few Catts and Phals and they were mounted without moss. The rest I am learning too.

cl2cayo · #3 07-25-2010, 08:19 PM

Thanks! When you mounted without moss, how did you protect the roots? I was thinking of using fishing line, which I'm afraid would cut into the root structure. Perhaps I should consider using a different method?

Swamper · #4 07-25-2010, 08:22 PM

I tied originally with fishing line too but I switched to twine. It's soft and looks natural too.

CTB · #5 07-25-2010, 08:25 PM

Welcome to the Orchid Board! We have over 14,000 members so you came to the right place for help. Someone will usually come to the rescue.

With your coconut fiber can you tear that up so you can cushion and then cover the roots, just for protection and moisture till your mount gets going.? It should work, I've found it holds moisture well.

cl2cayo · #6 07-25-2010, 10:05 PM

Hi Carol,
Thanks! Yes, I can absolutely do that. When you say "coconut fiber", do you mean shaving the outside of a coconut - the brown dried stuff? Or should I chop up the shells to a finer grade? Or could I use the "threads" that make up the leaves of the palm?
Thanks again for any suggestions!
-cindy

Swamper · #7 07-25-2010, 10:47 PM

Cindy I think she means that dead looking leaf or frond that is usually wrapped around the trunk or underneath the coconuts themselves. When you look up at the tree it will almost shout at you "me, me, use me, I'm perfect for the job"

cl2cayo · #8 07-26-2010, 06:09 PM

*smiling* I'll go check the trees for those that are shouting... Yes, I do know what you mean. I'll give that a try! Thanks ever so much!
-cindy