Mounting epis and dens

[Shiffdaddy]

I ordered seedling sized epidendrum paniculatum and dendrobium spectabile. THey are in 2 inch pots and the plants are are about 2-3-4 inches tall. decent root structure on both plants.

I want to know if an amateur (like me) could mount them onto a board

will both of these plants thrive on a board or would they be better off in the ground.

Ben

[Merlyn]

Don't know about the Epi but I still have the first mount I did and it is a Den !!! Put some damp sphagnum moss under and enclose the roots, tie a lasso knot in a fishing lin, lasso the roots to the wood, wrap the line around many times snugly and tie it off. I don't water it every day because it likes to dry out between waterings. I make sure to spray all the roots when I water and fertilize.

[keithrs]

Honestly I would wait for the to became a year or two older before mounting them. Of course I say that in reservation! Not knowing if you have a way to keep the humidity up.

[Bud]

You are in the right area for mounting orchids...you have the humidity in the atmosphere to grow them even just sticking out on a tree...I dont see why you cant mount those plants...ideally the Epi can be planted in ground where they will become jungle like if you dont trim it to shape...

[Junebug]

I've had great success with phal and antelope type dendrobium mounts, but I would not recommend mounting a spectabile. During summer the roots of the spectabile should be kept somewhat moist, but not soggy. The plants respond well to misting and the roots need to be watered just as they approach dryness. This is why I think the spectabile is better suited for a pot rather than a mount.

Having said that I should also mention that a spectabile insists on resting with a MINIMUM amount of water and no misting during winter/cooler months when they're not in growth phase. A regular watering routine should not begin until after the onset of new growth, even if the plant is in spike. If watering is resumed too soon the spike will blast. I learned that the hard way.

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[orchidsamore]

Orchids grow in or on most anything.

As to the Den spectabile it will become a a 2-3 foot plant so consider what mount you want.

I find that mounting seedings results needing in a couple of years extra to reach flowering size. Since a spectabile seeding will normally take 3-5 years to flower adding a couple of years and possibly needing to re-mount, which also can set it back, is a difficult way to go.

i find spectabile seedings to be more difficult to grow than other seedlings and limit myself to plants at least 12-14 inches high.

spectabile do well in baskets and you might want to consider one.

[Shiffdaddy]

Thanks for all the good information.

For the epidendrum i've decided that i will follow Bud's advise and plant it in the ground. I have an epi patch in a corner behind a palm where i have planted about `10 keiki's from purple and orange reed stem. I have the perfect place for it back there and hopefully it'll turn into a huge plant!

As for the Dendrobium, I will just leave it as is and keep it potted up. Dont wanna deal with mounting if its not a good species to mount. I'll leave that for another time haha.

Thanks again