Super noob orchid mountin questions.

[DiggenEm]

Let me start this off by saying hello to everyone.

Ok Im a vivarium builder and i learned about this site from Vivarium Forums. Im currently building a rock wall paludarium and Ive seen builds with orchids mounted on cork, tree fern and other organic materials. My question is can and how to grow orchids on a rock wall and which ones are best suited for this application? I used quikrete mortar for the rock wall and here's a pic for a better idea of what I'm working with....

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

[Zoi2]

Hello and welcome, sorry I can't help you with your vivarium but someone with more experience will be along soon.
Joann

[Wjs2nd]

They should grow. You need to have sphag moss around the roots to keep up humid and moist.

[DiggenEm]

Thanks for the advice. So would liquid nails be ok to hold them until they root?

[Wjs2nd]

I would not use any glue! If you can, I would try on hold them on with fishing string wrapped around stainless-steel nails. Something along those lines is what I would do.

[DiggenEm]

Ok gotcha. Thanks.

[Wrebbitrocks]

im sorry if this is hijacking your thread, but i had a question about this too. not so much whcih plants but i wanted to know if the chemical in the concrete did any damage to the roots. i always though that concrete leached salts and other alkaline stuffs out....im not sure.

oh and diggin', i REALLY look forward to seeing your terrarium all planted in. it looks like its gonna be amazing

[DiggenEm]

Originally Posted by Wrebbitrocks

im sorry if this is hijacking your thread, but i had a question about this too. not so much whcih plants but i wanted to know if the chemical in the concrete did any damage to the roots. i always though that concrete leached salts and other alkaline stuffs out....im not sure.

oh and diggin', i REALLY look forward to seeing your terrarium all planted in. it looks like its gonna be amazing

You have to cure the concrete which consists of either repeatedly rinsing it for weeks with water or soaking it with vinegar to neutralize it after that its completely fine. The same method can be used for hardscapping aquariums too. Thanks for the compliment, I'm just as eager.

[Bud]

Welcome and Hello!
Sit back and relax, read some postings of our members and learn from their wealth of knowledge from years of growing orchids.
I have a couple of members post past pictures of their acquarium creations...I hope they will come to read this and post their advice soon.

[lycaonpictus]

Lovely rockscape! Can't wait to see it planted.

Are you looking to be geographically "accurate" for your frogs? If so, knowing what region the frogs come from would help in suggesting types of orchids that would be "right" with them. That said, wood frogs here in PA seem to enjoy sitting on the leaves of phalaenopsis!

I never used to do much mounting until I got a large wardian case. (I don't have a greenhouse.) Now that I can keep the ambient humidity up, I'm finding I really like both the look and ease of care that comes with mounted orchids. You obviously won't have problems keeping up the humidity -- but pay attention to air movement, too. If you don't have "lively" air around the orchids, you'll run a much greater risk of developing fungal problems with the plants.

Good luck!

LP