First time mounting: how'd I do?

[cbennett4041]

I'm no where near bored with orchids yet, but I was getting ready to try some new stuff. I've been growing about a year, and decided I would try mounting some plants.

So far I love the look! I've mounted two cattleyas onto cedar boards that I bought off the bargain rack at the local lumber yard. I erred on the side of using too much sphagnum, since I wasn't sure what the new watering schedule would be. I tried to mount the new growth next to the plaque to accelerate root adherence.

After finishing the cattleyas, my eye turned to the phal I bought from Home Depot for $5. This monster was done flowering, but by far had the best root system I've ever seen on a home improvement store orchid. Big leaves too. Since I only had $5 in it, I figured I would try to mount it au naturale in a cedar box I threw together. I positioned it in a mix of fresh sphag and orchid bark. I'm REALLY excited about this one.

I'm going to try to let these plants adapt for a month or two and see how well I do caring for them. If all goes well, I foresee all of my orchids hanging from the wall.

Here are some pictures:

[Wjs2nd]

Looks good. I'm not to sure about the phal. I have never seen it done this way, so I have no idea how it will do. The cattleyas will probably need water every day.

[Paul Mc]

Well, the phal won't get water in the crown that way,lol... You may find it trying to grow sideways thought as they don't truly grow upside down.

[Merlyn]

I've done the basket sideways and it works and they do just fine. Like Paul said, the upside down thing is not how they grow in situ !

[Bud]

The Catt is neatly mounted. The basket is well done altho the Phal is unhappy being inverted in a very unnatural way...Paul & Chryss are right it must be hanged sideways a little bit pointing down if you want...at a 35 degree angle as I have seen some Phals in situ. Most flower shops and growers like the Phals upright because it gives aesthetic display of folliage and blooms...of course the plant will follow the light and face towards it and roots sometimes defy gravity but will try to go berzerk on those slats

[camille1585]

Good job with the Catt, it looks nice.
Nice basket for the Phal (I wouldn't call that a mounted Phal, just potted upside down), and like the others say it will be happier if you hang the basket sideways.

[cbennett4041]

Good to know! I didn't realize it was more sideways than down. I can easily adjust the basket wire hanger. I guess I was confused when I read something on google that said phals point "down." The stuff will stay in it better than anyway.

Is it okay that it is planted in sphagnum? I was worried about it being too wet, but I figured it would dry through the slats rather quickly.

I officially have the mounting bug now. I have some dendrobiums that I would like to mount. What do you guys think? I could get you specific plant names if you need to know.

[Bud]

I have 6 mini Dendrobiums mounted on grapewood, treefern or cork barks...one is currently in bloom and will post some pictures

[BruceP]

Just to illustrate, yesterday I did one new basket mount (Chysis bractescens) and replaced the moss in a Phal(heiroglyphica - ignore the twisted leaves, it got left facing the wrong way and the leaves haven't re-oriented). Use bamboo stakes through the sides to hold the plant and moss. When the plant is established, use the stakes to poke out the old moss and poke in the new around the roots!

[Bud]

Thanks Bruce, thats good to know how to use the stakes to poke out old moss. Great info !