mounting Onc. Sugars? - Orchid Board

dannym4243 · #1 09-20-2011, 08:18 PM

Hi!
I recently bought several Onc. Sweet Suga "Kaledar" and needless to say they are stunning but they seem to be trying to climb out of the pots. Would I be better off if I mounted them and let them climb?
Thanks
Danny

Gage · #2 09-20-2011, 08:37 PM

I would also love to hear what people think. Mine is also a bit out of control.

Otterinaround · #3 09-20-2011, 09:00 PM

I'll tag along too... I'm caught as to whether to split into 4 or three parts on mine...

As you can see there should be PLENTY to work with as far as getting the little roots into the bark medium.

Otterinaround · #4 09-27-2011, 12:20 AM

Muhaahaaa MOUNTED!!!
This is an Onc. "Sweet Sugar" I split from the plant above. I've got a spag pad ahead of the growth spike to "encourage rampant invasion of the log."

It's all tied together with Jute to allow for the disintegration of the rope and expansion of anchoring roots in the Onc to play a pivotal role in growth. Such activity should, I hope encourage a lasting bond between Orchid and Mount surface.

This log was purchased at Lowe's in the firewood section being touted as an " ALL natural hunk of wood that is a renewable American resource." I tacked a Big 20 inch S hook with several (read 10) 3/4 inch Fence nails.

Misted Daily. the bellowed leaves occurred BEFORE I arrived on scene! Watered Weekly. Fertilized Monthly.

orchidsamore · #5 09-27-2011, 09:00 AM

Onc Sweet Sugar is a good candidate for mounting as are most Oncidium alliance

If left in the pot they will stop growing up as there will not be enough water to continue encouraging the upward growth.

Known as the dancing lady these plants can get quite large. I had a friend that had one in their front yard that was 10 feet across.

When mounting I normally wrap the roots of Oncidium in sphagnum.

Since you put it behind the plant and left the roots exposed you will need to water it almost every day. The roots in the air will want dry fast and the sphag will stay wet but not water those air roots. Putting moss only behind a plant is a dry planting and since Oncidium roots grow very slow, it is a difficult way of keeping these.

It works well for dry growing plants like Laelia and Myrmechophia, but I do not like it for Oncidium.

Otterinaround · #6 09-27-2011, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orchidsamore

When mounting I normally wrap the roots of Oncidium in sphagnum.

Since you put it behind the plant and left the roots exposed you will need to water it almost every day. The roots in the air will want dry fast and the sphag will stay wet but not water those air roots. Putting moss only behind a plant is a dry planting and since Oncidium roots grow very slow, it is a difficult way of keeping these.

It works well for dry growing plants like Laelia and Myrmechophia, but I do not like it for Oncidium.

Thanks for the tip! My big worry is too much water with the humidity here in Florida, the double daily misting, massive amount of spag still on the old root ball (in the far lower left of the picture under the lowest psuedobulb). I wanted to spread resources and allow bark moisture trapping and tapping for long haul moisture needs. I'll post again to show how she comes along!