mounting bulbophylum - Orchid Board

orchid_guy · #1 05-08-2010, 09:51 PM

I have grown orchids for a while now, but usually stuck to clay pots. I want to start mounting some of my Bulbophylums because some of them tend to spread out due to the rhyzomes. I will mount to cork bark with sphagnum moss. If mounted, does every part of the plant and every pseudobulb/root system have to be in contact with the moss (for most contact with moisture)? Or can part of the plant - the outermost growth hang free? Does this impact the ability to accept water, etc?

Tindomul · #2 05-09-2010, 03:37 PM

I don't think it matters. If you want the plant to attach itself to the mount then yes, you need to create contact points, especially on the new pseudobulbs. Otherwise just make sure the plant gets wet everyday and that it has opportunity to dry out. Otherwise it will still rot. So your conditions will dictate how much moss you use.

LauraN · #3 05-16-2010, 10:08 AM

I would say that all the growths need to be on the mount. I ususally just keep bending them around and fill up the mount. Also it is a good idea to mount Bulbos horizontally so that they retain the water, and dry a little more slowly (Of course I'm in Florida, so things dry out fairly quickly for me and I find that the bulbos need more water than my other mounted plants.

orchid_guy · #4 05-16-2010, 11:51 AM

Thanks, Laura
I have attached a photo (I think - hopefully it worked).
Right now it is next to a window sill (and dries out very quickly) but and going to move it to a vivarium. This is a B. lasiochilum and it is not a compact plant. I think it will quickly outgrow the limited space on the wood. I was hoping that if the core of the plant was fixed to the base (and retained the majority of the moisture), then if the exterior growth dries out, it might be less of an issue. I'm thinking to plant it back in a large shallow pot. What do you think?

LauraN · #5 05-16-2010, 03:45 PM

I would either put it in a large shallow pot, or I'd find a larger piece of wood to mount it on...
Your theory about the core being mounted, works for other species, but I've found that bulbos like to stay moist in most cases and since the new growths flower, you'd want to keep them happy.