Growing Cattleyas/Laelias on Wood slabs...possible or no? - Orchid Board

peeweelovesbooks · #1 06-10-2009, 05:41 PM

Hi all.

I've been toying with this idea for a while, but I 've not seen pictures of this.

I want to try and grow a cattleya or a laelia on a slab of wood ) a big slab, or a piece of free-form wood. But, not hanging, but laying on the table like a centerpiece.

Is this possible? if this is possible, how would one go about it? Would you place the plant in the middle of the slab/piece of wood, or would you place it on one end? Would you drill holes for drainage and/or root development?

I've been looking for nice free form slabs but haven't found anything perfect yet.

What type of wood would you recommend? I love teakwood but IDK???

What would be the pros and cons of doing this?

Thanks for your input....I'm really interested in responses.

SP2340 · #2 06-10-2009, 06:06 PM

Yes, absolutely! I have one that has roots growing like crazy!!

kinknstein · #3 06-10-2009, 06:14 PM

Those are some great mounts SP2340! Good closeup of the roots too!

peeweelovesbooks · #4 06-10-2009, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SP2340

Yes, absolutely! I have one that has roots growing like crazy!!

Ok, that looks stunning!!

What type of wood is this? Where'd you get it? How long have you been growing this? What type of catt is this?

Care? H20 every day?

Thanks for the picture!!!

Cookiemonster · #5 06-10-2009, 07:45 PM

SP23540 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thats amazzzinngg! i want to be able to do that!

Maria from what I've heard since I dont do mounts- do it on something thats durable and wont degrade on you in the short run, I have heard cork wood is good, btw I have some extra pieces if you'd like em

SP2340 · #6 06-10-2009, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peeweelovesbooks

Ok, that looks stunning!!

What type of wood is this? Where'd you get it? How long have you been growing this? What type of catt is this?

Care? H20 every day?

Thanks for the picture!!!

My Dad brought this piece of wood home about 15 years ago. Somebody cut down their tree and had it in a junk pile in the front yard. My Dad took it cause it some type of hard wood that I guess is worth something. I'll call him tommorrow to get the name. I mounted the orchid there in February, it's a Cattleya which I will also get you the name of tommorrow. Basically when I got the plant I took a hand full of sphagnum moss and tied it with fishing line. Then gave it Superthrive and Fertilizer about ever 2 weeks. It gets watered everyday because there's a good about of wind so it dries out quickly.

Btw, I bought this piece of hardwood at Petco which I think would work perfect for what your doing.

catwalker808 · #7 06-10-2009, 11:48 PM

Nice plant SP2340 (regards to C3PO).

Sooo ... Maria, are your deflasked walkerianas ready for mounting or are you just thinking ahead.
Fred Fuchs (deceased) used to grow EVERYTHING on hard wood logs, branches, sticks in Homestead, Florida. He had to use an overhead sprinkler system to water throughout the day. He told me years ago that he used stuff like scrub oak and other hardwoods. Also something called Australian Pine (which he didn't like as much because it didn't hold up as long).

You need to avoid some woods, because although they hold up, it's because of their oiliness.
Most people mount the logs standing up, then you know that the plants will grow towards the top. If you lay the log down, just make sure you put the plant at one end and aim the front toward the open space. Aim the open end of the log toward the sun's path also.
I am told the people in the Philippines grow all their orchids on logs, since they have a long monsoon season ... longer than Florida's summer rains.

peeweelovesbooks · #8 06-11-2009, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SP2340

My Dad brought this piece of wood home about 15 years ago. Somebody cut down their tree and had it in a junk pile in the front yard. My Dad took it cause it some type of hard wood that I guess is worth something. I'll call him tommorrow to get the name. I mounted the orchid there in February, it's a Cattleya which I will also get you the name of tommorrow. Basically when I got the plant I took a hand full of sphagnum moss and tied it with fishing line. Then gave it Superthrive and Fertilizer about ever 2 weeks. It gets watered everyday because there's a good about of wind so it dries out quickly.

Btw, I bought this piece of hardwood at Petco which I think would work perfect for what your doing.

Ok, that's exactly what I'm looking for!! how long is it?? I want something large-ish. What type of wood? $$$?

I MUST go to petco!!

Thank you for the information.

peeweelovesbooks · #9 06-11-2009, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catwalker808

Nice plant SP2340 (regards to C3PO).

Sooo ... Maria, are your deflasked walkerianas ready for mounting or are you just thinking ahead.
Fred Fuchs (deceased) used to grow EVERYTHING on hard wood logs, branches, sticks in Homestead, Florida. He had to use an overhead sprinkler system to water throughout the day. He told me years ago that he used stuff like scrub oak and other hardwoods. Also something called Australian Pine (which he didn't like as much because it didn't hold up as long).

You need to avoid some woods, because although they hold up, it's because of their oiliness.
Most people mount the logs standing up, then you know that the plants will grow towards the top. If you lay the log down, just make sure you put the plant at one end and aim the front toward the open space. Aim the open end of the log toward the sun's path also.
I am told the people in the Philippines grow all their orchids on logs, since they have a long monsoon season ... longer than Florida's summer rains.

I'm sorry, but I am not understanding the placement of the orchid....(I'm spatially challenged)

Ha!! My de-flasked walkeriana survivors have a long way to go!! BTW, I looked at them yesterday and both survivors have new growths.

Hee hee hee.

Having said that, I WAS thinking of doing this with a walkeriana...how did you know? Has Maria been talking to you?????

How about teakwood???? maple? does anyone know where I can find branches of this stuff?

peeweelovesbooks · #10 06-11-2009, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookiemonster

SP23540 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thats amazzzinngg! i want to be able to do that!

Maria from what I've heard since I dont do mounts- do it on something thats durable and wont degrade on you in the short run, I have heard cork wood is good, btw I have some extra pieces if you'd like em

thank you for the offer, Suzie. I don't want to deprive you of your wood though.