Mounting orchids for the first time

[Roberta]

I put moss under the plant only for those that really need extra moisture (like Pleurothallids) I think the Polystachya will benefit from extra moss (if it is just over the roots that's OK)

For members of the Cattleya tribe, I usually use no moss at all - they need to dry out. But then, I do water mounted plants daily, or in winter perhaps every other day. (That's a factor in how much moss is used, for sure) But I have found that when there is moss under the plant, it tends to root into the moss rather than onto the mount. If the Blc isn't rooting actively, a little moss over the existing roots will help keep it going until it gets into gear, but then the new roots should go for the mount (ideally one mounts a plant when the roots are actively growing, but starting with a bare-root plant you do it right away) Also do look at the plant to see which way it's growing - the area of new growth is the part that needs to go toward the mount no matter what the plant is. (A monopodial orchid like Phalaenopsis or Vanda there isn't any particular direction, a sympodial one like Cattleya tribe or Dendrobium, there is a definite growth direction where new roots will appear)

Also, in a humid climate like where DirtyCoconuts lives, there really isn't much need for moss at all. So humidity, and one's watering habits, do affect the moss-or-not decision.

[mofms1]

Thanks for the advice, Roberta. Without the moss, the roots definitely dry out, but I can spritz with water morning and night. One of the reasons I put it in my bathroom was so I would be forced to look at it every day. No forgetting if I look at it every day. Btw, your page looks great and your collection of orchids is amazing

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by mofms1

Thanks for the advice, Roberta. Without the moss, the roots definitely dry out, but I can spritz with water morning and night. One of the reasons I put it in my bathroom was so I would be forced to look at it every day. No forgetting if I look at it every day. Btw, your page looks great and your collection of orchids is amazing

Glad you enjoyed my website. There is always room for one more orchid...

[davidg]

Hi Roberta. I know this is an old post, but on the subject of mounting, maybe you can give me some advice. I have recently started growing orchids outdoors on a tree. Most were small plants and they are mostly sending out new roots nicely. I had a larger Cattleya bowringiana growing in a pot that I bought earlier. It flowered last fall. However it has never shown any sign of new growth. I unpotted it and mounted it on the tree - it had a lot of dead roots which I left in place. It is still not showing any signs of growth and I am considering removing all the dead roots and remounting it with whatever live root I might find when doing this. What do you think?

[DirtyCoconuts]

it depends on the state of the roots. if they are rotting and mushy then remove them carefully. If they are just old and deteriorating then i would leave them

[davidg]

No, they are just dry and shriveled, so this sounds like a good idea. I can see that it is very different from burying them in potting soil, where they most certainly do start to rot and cause problems. Thanks for that!

---------- Post added at 07:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:15 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Roberta

place the newest growth next to the mount. Aesthetically that may not seem the most attractive, but it's the way to get the plant to grow onto the mount which is what you want.

Thanks for that Roberta - I would have instinctively done that, but it's a good tip. I noticed today that the D. aggregatum has new roots growing off the very small piece of bark it is on, so I guess I should attach that piece to something larger, and anchor those new roots to that?
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ilies/bow2.gif

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by davidg

I noticed today that the D. aggregatum has new roots growing off the very small piece of bark it is on, so I guess I should attach that piece to something larger, and anchor those new roots to that?
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ilies/bow2.gif

Exactly. Just tie it to a larger mount, You can loosely tie those new roots, just to guide them to the new mount. Something gentle for that... panty hose, or wide plastic garden ties. The firm tying should be limited to the rhizome/pseudobulb area (or if it is firmly attached to the existing mount, just tie the mounts together)

[davidg]

That's great - I think I am all set to go. I have both a wider plastic horticultural tape, that can be quickly twisted into a soft thread, and a special, stretchy tying material from one of my orchid suppliers in Germany. I have a busy couple of days planned starting tomorrow, with showery, warmer weather forecast.

I am excited, and I can't thank you and DirtyCoconuts enough for all your detailed help and support - enjoy the spring and your plants, despite the desperate situation in the wider world - thank God for hobbies!

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by davidg

I am excited, and I can't thank you and DirtyCoconuts enough for all your detailed help and support - enjoy the spring and your plants, despite the desperate situation in the wider world - thank God for hobbies!

Glad to help! Orchids keep us sane!

[Roberta]

Totally agree with DC. Even a less-than-perfect root can help hydrate the plant, and a freshly mounted plant needs all the resources that it can get, since only the new roots will attach to the mount. The ideal time for mounting is just as the new roots start to emerge (just before, if you can anticipate it, or when the first little bumps emerge)

Another note, since this is the first time mounting... place the newest growth next to the mount. Aesthetically that may not seem the most attractive, but it's the way to get the plant to grow onto the mount which is what you want. Eventually(in a couple of years) the old, ugly pseudobulbs that are sticking out will wither and can be removed, with the active part attached to the mount. This is a slow process, as is everything with orchdis.