Phalaenopsis mounted on driftwood

[Dollythehun]

No way to tell w/o blooms.

[jkofferdahl]

Originally Posted by Koolcat

Will do, would you know what's that orchid name off the top?

Disregard, Dollythehun already answered.

Thanks guys, now time to take care of this thing.

Carol's answer is absolutely correct. The flowers are key in identification. However, there are hundreds and hundreds of hybrids and many of them look almost identical. You may never know the plant's name. But if not, you can still enjoy its beauty!

[bil]

I am a great one for mounts. after all that's how all epiphytic orchids have evolved to grow.

They need to be watered more, every day in the summer, but the advantage is that they dry quickly so rot is less of a problem.
I only really like one orchid on a mount, unless both are of the same type, as they might need different light etc.

Den phals not suited to mounts? I have a couple that are doing well, I think the secret is to wait for a good keiki, allow its roots to grow well and then harvest the whole cane and tie it to a suitable mount with a bit of sphag.

If you want to pot den phals, they seem to like a wide shallow pot. I make my own plastic pots up that are 30cm wide, but only about 4 -6 cm deep. The width makes them stable, and I put three rocks around the plant to hold it upright till the roots take hold.
Fine, sieved bark with no moss.

[Dollythehun]

I think I ,bil, this might be a matter of taste. My Den phals would look ridiculous mounted. That said, depending on the parentage, some are shorter and might be candidates.

[Koolcat]

Thanks for all the tips, advices, and input guys. I'm pretty new to this so anything will help. Another question I have is that it has some yellow roots, should I cut those off? I've attached some pictures of the roots. I also attached a picture of a rose kokedama I just did that I had to share with you guys. Unfortunately, the roses looke withered only after a day. Maybe I did the it wrong.

[jkofferdahl]

That mount is simply wonderful! You did a good job of wrapping the roots. Let it get a bit dry between waterings, though without letting it go too long between waterings. You should soon see new roots developing, and as they grow some will attach to the driftwood. Sometimes the older, healthy roots will also send off new growth tips.

[estación seca]

Roses use a lot of water. The underground root system of a dicot shrub is about as large as the aboveground branch structure; it is hard for them to take up enough water with a smaller root system. Many people prune roses severely before transplanting if there will be much root disturbance. I would think kokedama involves a lot of time before the plant looks good.

[bil]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

I think I ,bil, this might be a matter of taste. My Den phals would look ridiculous mounted. That said, depending on the parentage, some are shorter and might be candidates.

Yeah, true. I certainly agree, the shorter the better. Mine haven't been on there long, but they seem to like it, also they don't seem to be growing so tall.

I would, if it were feasible put my tall nobiles on mounts, but iit would cause problems, so I have welded up a special basket for them. It holds a saucer of moss for them, but has supports and rings to keep the canes from falling over.

[Koolcat]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Roses use a lot of water. The underground root system of a dicot shrub is about as large as the aboveground branch structure; it is hard for them to take up enough water with a smaller root system. Many people prune roses severely before transplanting if there will be much root disturbance. I would think kokedama involves a lot of time before the plant looks good.

Do you think from your experience that my miniature rose will died? I actually took all soil out from its roots and then transferred into a kokedama. The next day all leaves seem to wither. Is it possible to nurture it back to normal? The plant itself still look green.

Originally Posted by bil

Yeah, true. I certainly agree, the shorter the better. Mine haven't been on there long, but they seem to like it, also they don't seem to be growing so tall.

I would, if it were feasible put my tall nobiles on mounts, but iit would cause problems, so I have welded up a special basket for them. It holds a saucer of moss for them, but has supports and rings to keep the canes from falling over.

I do see you guys point point though. When the spike gets too tall it doesn't look good. So my question on this is once all the flowers dropped, can I cut back the spike about 3-4 inches? I heard if you cut the spike back and leave about an inch above a node that still look green and not dried out then it most likely will produce a new growth for the bloom there. Is that true?

[Dollythehun]

3 growers, 4 opinions. Den phals tend to loose their leaves every couple years. But, the leafless canes give the plant energy and generally still bloom. Leave them unless you are sure they are dead. Mine never rebloom from a cut spike. Phalanopsis and some of the Oncidium tribe, yes, and maybe that is what you are thinking. Also, some bloom from the top of the cane, some from the sides. Mine has been in bloom all winter. It is an ugly plant, tough as nails, but, the blooms make up for it.

Looking at your home and your mounting, you obviously have a good eye. Can you actually imagine it will look better mounted, or in a pretty catch pot? Remember, if you mount, you water pretty neat every day. If it were mine, I would find a stunning piece of pottery and place it in there. My two cents.