Could someone help me with Phal mounts, Please?

[MothLover]

My family and I have recently began getting into orchids, and the first ones that we purchased were phals. My dad has made several comments about maybe mounting the phals on a piece of wood or a log to sit on his hearth. (The fireplace itself is never in use, just more of a decorative accent.)

I think he wants more of a free-standing mount rather than a hanging mount or a wall mount. Has anyone here tried this technique before? If so, what sort of material do you use for the mount?

[cb977]

You could always check around for a really cool vertical standing piece of driftwood for the mount.

I have all of my Phal species in baskets with sphag hung sideways...they seem to love it like that

[MothLover]

Is there anything special I need to do to the wood before mounting? I know that orchids can be really susseptible to fungal infections and other pests. Is there any preventative measures you would suggest?

[buffalo]

post pictures if u can thanks

[mehitabel]

Sorry I can't advise about mounts. However...

If they are going to thrive, phals need a lot more light than they can get on a fireplace hearth situated nearly anywhere in a room.

If you go to Big Leaf Orchids (see the sticky post at the top of the forum), and click the "Information" tab at the top of the page, you will find an article on growing and blooming phals written especially for new indoor growers.

A few minutes reading will repay you many times over in health and beauty of your orchids.

[Craig]

ive herd you can microwave small peices to kill inhabitants, i guess you could hold bigger ones over open flame same result,,,, doa insect buggers

[Lorraine]

Hi Mothlover

You can make a freestanding mount and screw plant rings into it to hold your pots. Home Depot sells the rings. You can possibly buy one already done there also. It's called a "bromeliad rain tree" (about $129) 4' tall. Comes already with 4/5 rings on it. I made my own freestanding driftwood mount and put it in a bucket, poured concrete into the bucket to make it permanant. Check out my thread called 'Driftwood Project' in the forum under Mounting. Maybe get an idea that will work for you.

For Phals in the house you'll need plenty of light. You can put your stand on a dolly like mine to move about when needed. HD has them too.

[Ross]

Lorraine has a really good idea. Why not a portable mount that can be moved to the window during the day when sun is normally out, then back to the hearth at night? Just a thought.

[MothLover]

Thank you all for your information. I love the idea of a portable mount, but I'm not sure when we'll get the time to work with the idea. I was just wondering about the options for mounting phals whenever I get the time and funds to work with them more than I do now.

Again, I really appreciate it!