Phalaenopsis mounted on driftwood

[Koolcat]

Hi, I just started with growing orchids. So pretty much I'm really new to orchids. Yesterday on Valentine, I took a piece of driftwood laying from for the aquarium and decided to mount the phalaenopsis to it. I got the idea from a picture on the Web somewhere. So today I've actually done some research on this which is why I wound up here. Couple of places on the net said that phals can be pretty hard to take care mounted. Are there some advices/tips you guys can give me on maintaining and care for the phal to help it thrive and not dead in a week?

For some reason I can't add any pictures

Thanks in advance,
Ryan

[Koolcat]

Finally could upload some pictures:

[MattWoelfsen]

Well done! That mount makes an appealing presentation.

[jkofferdahl]

Nicely done! That's an extremely attractive mounting, too!

Phals actually love to be mounted. They aren't air plants, but are close in their own way. In nature they grow on tree branches with their roots wrapped about them, and not even sphagnum to hold moisture to the roots. Mounted, they are going to prefer as much humidity as you can give them (65-70% is ideal), and with this humidity you should also make sure that there is air movement around the plant. Mine always have small fans moving the air. Keep an eye on the mounting, and water the plant whenever necessary. I have some mounted Phals which I water twice a day.

[Koolcat]

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

Well done! That mount makes an appealing presentation.

Thanks, I have another type of orchid attached here. You think I should mount that at the base of this driftwood? Also do you know what type of orchid on the left in the attachment is?

Originally Posted by jkofferdahl

Nicely done! That's an extremely attractive mounting, too!

Phals actually love to be mounted. They aren't air plants, but are close in their own way. In nature they grow on tree branches with their roots wrapped about them, and not even sphagnum to hold moisture to the roots. Mounted, they are going to prefer as much humidity as you can give them (65-70% is ideal), and with this humidity you should also make sure that there is air movement around the plant. Mine always have small fans moving the air. Keep an eye on the mounting, and water the plant whenever necessary. I have some mounted Phals which I water twice a day.

Thanks for the info. I basically used cotton threads to hold it in place on top of the moss. Will the phal anchored itself on its own, maybe in 6 months? Also what do you think if I mount the left orchid in the attachment to the flat base? I don't even know what kind it is and the there's one without any leaves. I got them from a friend that was gonna throw them away. All the leaves started to drop couple of days in after I took it home. Managed to save the other two leaves you see there. Should I even bother with that orchid anymore?

[jkofferdahl]

Originally Posted by Koolcat

Thanks for the info. I basically used cotton threads to hold it in place on top of the moss. Will the phal anchored itself on its own, maybe in 6 months? Also what do you think if I mount the left orchid in the attachment to the flat base? I don't even know what kind it is and the there's one without any leaves. I got them from a friend that was gonna throw them away. All the leaves started to drop couple of days in after I took it home. Managed to save the other two leaves you see there. Should I even bother with that orchid anymore?

Cotton threads should work fine. Some people use dental floss, in fact, which (unless you buy what Frank Zappa grew) is cotton thread. Others use a very fine monofilament fishing line. Essentially, what works is the right thing to use. Eventually, as roots grow, they'll attach themselves to the driftwood and secure the plant, but it's a good idea to always leave whatever tie you use in place.

I wouldn't attach the other orchid to this mount. First, by doing so you are forcing the plants to potentially share a lot, including bacteria, fungus, and even virus. But of equal importance, the second plant isn't a Phal, and wants some differences in care. IF you must mount a second plant to the driftwood, make it another Phal.

It's probable that the plant which lost leaves is a goner, but not necessarily. It depends on a lot. A number of orchids are deciduous; I have a couple of miniature Phalaenopsis on which I have yet to see a leaf. Other genera also include deciduous plants. But most likely yours isn't. Do you know what the type of plant is? Or can you show a picture of it?

[Koolcat]

Originally Posted by jkofferdahl

Cotton threads should work fine. Some people use dental floss, in fact, which (unless you buy what Frank Zappa grew) is cotton thread. Others use a very fine monofilament fishing line. Essentially, what works is the right thing to use. Eventually, as roots grow, they'll attach themselves to the driftwood and secure the plant, but it's a good idea to always leave whatever tie you use in place.

I wouldn't attach the other orchid to this mount. First, by doing so you are forcing the plants to potentially share a lot, including bacteria, fungus, and even virus. But of equal importance, the second plant isn't a Phal, and wants some differences in care. IF you must mount a second plant to the driftwood, make it another Phal.

It's probable that the plant which lost leaves is a goner, but not necessarily. It depends on a lot. A number of orchids are deciduous; I have a couple of miniature Phalaenopsis on which I have yet to see a leaf. Other genera also include deciduous plants. But most likely yours isn't. Do you know what the type of plant is? Or can you show a picture of it?

OK I guess I won't add that to the base from what you're saying. Hmm, you don't see the picture attached in the post earlier? Let me try to attach it to this post. The one without leave, the stalk is still pretty stiff so let's hope it's not a goner.

[jkofferdahl]

OK, if you mean the plant in the middle, don't worry about it. Just water less until it starts new growth.

[Dollythehun]

The one with few leaves is a Dendrobium Phalanopsis.
It wouldn't work well on that mount. They naturally lose their leaves every couple years. I would pot it in a small pot in medium bark. Give it Phal light water 2x a week.

Don't use a bigger pot. Shallow would be better. They are top heavy so you may want to choose clay or put the pot into another pot to hold it up.

[Koolcat]

Originally Posted by jkofferdahl

OK, if you mean the plant in the middle, don't worry about it. Just water less until it starts new growth.

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.