Laelia Anceps mounted?

[Eli Vizsla]

My laelia anceps is currently potted and started growing new roots (about 4 teeny tiny roots), but I'm thinking of mounting the plant on cork.

Any OB members have them mounted? Should I mount on cork or leave in pot? I know they get big and spikes really tall.

Thank you.

[Roberta]

Absolutely consider mounting if you can maintain the plant that way... Of the ones that I grow, the smaller ones are mounted, the large ones are in wooden baskets with little or no medium. (Think of those as a three dimensional mount.) I have found that when potted, they grow slowly until they climb out of the pot, then explode roots outside the pot. That tells me that they really don't want to be in a pot. They are very "drought tolerant" so don't worry about the drying out part, they need that.

They also need very high light. (I don't think I have ever had toasted leaves on a L. anceps and I grow them in the brightest part of my growing area, baking in the summer sun). They can tolerate night temperatures close to freezing, so you can safely grow it outside in spring, summer, and fall.

[Eli Vizsla]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Absolutely consider mounting if you can maintain the plant that way... Of the ones that I grow, the smaller ones are mounted, the large ones are in wooden baskets with little or no medium. (Think of those as a three dimensional mount.) I have found that when potted, they grow slowly until they climb out of the pot, then explode roots outside the pot. That tells me that they really don't want to be in a pot. They are very "drought tolerant" so don't worry about the drying out part, they need that.

They also need very high light. (I don't think I have ever had toasted leaves on a L. anceps and I grow them in the brightest part of my growing area, baking in the summer sun). They can tolerate night temperatures close to freezing, so you can safely grow it outside in spring, summer, and fall.

Thank you Roberta.

I mounted the plant on an 10” x 18” (huge!) cork bark. When I was marking the cork to drill holes I accidentally touched the roots with black marker (ooops!).

Otherwise it looks good and does not wobble.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Eli Vizsla

Thank you Roberta.

I mounted the plant on an 10” x 18” (huge!) cork bark. When I was marking the cork to drill holes I accidentally touched the roots with black marker (ooops!).

Otherwise it looks good and does not wobble.

Looks great! (No worries about the marker on the root...) Actually, it's the new roots (the ones that you saw just starting) that are going to grab the mount and do all the work. The old ones, and the older pseudobulbs, will just keep things going until it is established. And that mount isn't all that huge... these aren't small plants. Eventually, it will climb over the mount. At which point the mount won't even matter much, it will just be a way to hang the plant.

[rbarata]

Agreed! That mount, if everything goes well, in two or three years will be small. If needed, attach a 2nd cork plate behind the mount.

[Maryanne]

YES, do mount the L. anceps. Mexican Laelias are happier that way,as they grow in nature. Mine is on an oak stick about 2 to 3 inches in diameter (maybe 5 to 8 cm) and length is almost 18 inches. It is at least 15 years old and has always been on that stick I also keep L. autumnalis, L. albida and few L. anceps hybrids on big sticks too. Once on the Oak mount, it is difficult to remove, so plan for years ahead in size. : -)
Best of luck to you and your Laelia
Maryanne

[Eli Vizsla]

I changed the orientation twice but after two weeks of mounting new roots are finally starting to attach to the cork bark.

[Roberta]

Perfect. You caught it at the right time. Because that's FAST!

[Eli Vizsla]

No more kitchen twine after 2 months!

[Roberta]

Well done! Happy plant. I wouldn't remove the tie quite yet, let it get those roots a little longer and holding on tighter. You don't want it to wobble and break root tips.