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01-16-2021, 04:33 PM
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Jr. Member
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Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 26
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Appropriate wood for mounts?
Hi all!
Apologies if this question has been asked before... but I'm curious what types of wood are okay to use for mounting. For example, I've heard that resinous or sap-producing woods are not good for growing plants on - is that true? Any types or classes that should be avoided?
Thanks in advance!
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01-16-2021, 05:34 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: Oak Island NC
Posts: 15,203
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My favorite is cork oak bark, and most hardwoods are OK, but when using lumber for flat slab mounts, I go with cedar or redwood.
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01-16-2021, 06:21 PM
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Super Moderator
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Zone: 10a
Location: Coastal southern California, USA
Posts: 13,858
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A rough surface (bark firmly attached) gives the roots something to grab on to. I have had very good luck with the "core" of tree fern (without the fuzz or fiber) but it breaks down in a few years. Lately, I have been using bottlebrush wood (got a bunch when a neighbor cut down a tree) ... it has rough bark, and is quite hard, seems to last well. And plentiful where I live. So yes, I'd stay away from anything resinous, go for the "hard" and "rough bark" criteria, exactly what is available depends on where you live... when someone is cutting down a tree, see what you can score,
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01-16-2021, 06:39 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 2020
Age: 29
Posts: 701
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Roberta
Lately, I have been using bottlebrush wood (got a bunch when a neighbor cut down a tree) ... when someone is cutting down a tree, see what you can score,
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How did you treat the wood before using it?
I gathered a good amount of pine bark from a tree that was being taken down, rinsed it well, oven cooked it for sterilisation, and let to dry; I thought it was safe, but when I mounted a plant, it lost all its roots in 2-3 days when a fungus took over.
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01-16-2021, 06:55 PM
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Super Moderator
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Zone: 10a
Location: Coastal southern California, USA
Posts: 13,858
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I don't treat the wood at all... just stack it in my garage or on the patio until I'm ready to use it. Bottlebrush does not have any noticeable resin. (That is likely the problem with pine.) Even when dried it may leave compounds that are hostile to orchids. Cedar works OK, but I think not great. (Andy's Orchids uses a lot of cedar shingles - untreated is important) but most of the plants I have gotten with mounted on those I end up remounting within a year or two if not sooner because they really don't adhere very well), Redwood some do and some don't, generally find it's not great. I have occasionally obtained branches of cork oak when someone trims a tree, the rest of the cork (slabs and such) that I use I had to buy.
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01-17-2021, 10:41 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2019
Zone: 10b
Location: South Florida, East Coast
Posts: 5,838
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There are a few things I consider but mostly how hard the wood is.
I have used branches and cuttings from many southern hard woods and a lot of just regular untreated pine lumber too.
__________________
All the ways I grow are dictated by the choices I have made and the environment in which I live. Please listen and act accordingly
--------------------------------------------------------------
Rooted in South Florida....
Zone 10b, Baby! Hot and wet
#MoreFlowers Insta
#MoreFlowers Flickr
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01-17-2021, 12:48 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Lower Florida Keys
Posts: 1,289
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I use mostly untreated cedar shingles now. It's pretty rot resistant but when it does start to break down all you have to do is glue a new one to the back and you're good to go for several more years. I've also used grapevine which can be fun because of the twisty shapes you can get out of it.
Roberta--- I think Andy uses a lot of bottlebrush as well. I know he told me he has a source for some kind of local wood and I'm pretty sure I remember it being bottlebrush.
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01-17-2021, 01:01 PM
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Super Moderator
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Zone: 10a
Location: Coastal southern California, USA
Posts: 13,858
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I have gotten a few things on bottlebrush wood from him, not many... it's all matter of timing. Those trees are really common in landscaping in southern California, so getting it is a matter of knowing someone who is trimming or taking down a tree. Andy has such a vast number of mounted plants, he sources a variety of woods, whatever he can get. For awhile it was manzanita (which is very hard and durable, but smooth, better for some things than others)
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01-17-2021, 01:33 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2019
Zone: 10b
Location: South Florida, East Coast
Posts: 5,838
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I have a great bottle brush. Keysguy, if you want a bunch of pieces just let me know and I’ll cut and set them aside for you for one day when you are near Broward
__________________
All the ways I grow are dictated by the choices I have made and the environment in which I live. Please listen and act accordingly
--------------------------------------------------------------
Rooted in South Florida....
Zone 10b, Baby! Hot and wet
#MoreFlowers Insta
#MoreFlowers Flickr
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01-17-2021, 10:31 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Posts: 146
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I use oak, but please note that it is not cork oak. The durability is excellent and the bark on it very nice for roots to attach to. It is quite expensive in comparison with other alternatives, but I guess over the long term it will be the cheapest as it seems to last “forever”.
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