wiring phal flower spikes into pleasing positions

[james mickelso]

That is a very interesting occidental viewpoint. But, in nature take a phal for instance. What is it's normal inclination when it is in bloom? Pendant? Or upright? A cattleya? Pendant or upright? Masdevallia? Phragmepedium? Laelia? Spathoglotis? Chiloschista? Onidium? Brassia? Some upright sometimes. Some pendant. Sometimes. And you are talking about a judging system where certain rules apply written by ? People who want to see something a certain way and no other. Confining? Where in ikebana new and creative is rewarded. There are schools that adhere to certain esthetics written long ago and schools where the rules can be and often times are encouraged to be broken. Painting. Sculpture. Photography. Architecture. I didn't start trying this technique to change a spikes movement to please anyone but myself. I haven't even done this to get others to try it. It's just material to be used to try and create something different. All I tried to do was introduce a technique someone may want to try to make a different look. Art is all about that. In the presentations I've seen say at the Japan Orchid Expo, I wouldn't say that the presentation was natural at all. But somewhere along the line someone felt that the way to display phals was this way and due to their status in the orchid culture, that is what has developed. And it can be beautiful. And monotonous. I ask this question. Does planting many different types of orchids on one mount go against the normal convention? Does it break some rule? Or can it be done because it can be done? In the eye of the beholder it may or may not look pleasing. Each needs to judge for themselves.

[labyrinth1959]

I am a complete novice with regards to orchids, however I am a chemist and I know for a fact that copper tends to be toxic for many plants. It can also have a galvanic effect. Personally I would be concerned about a slow poisoning of the plant.

[james mickelso]

Copper in molecular form in other than minute quantities over a period of time is toxic to most organisms. As a micro- nutrient it is a vital element in our physiology. But not in the form of wire on the surface of a plant. People for centuries have worn copper jewelry and eaten off copper plates. Bonsai artists have used copper wire for decades to wire branches. Wiring a plant to change the direction of growth has no deleterious effects on the plant.