Mounting Lepanthes on Aquarium Filter Pad - Orchid Board

Jmbaum · #1 01-06-2024, 04:35 PM

Hello All,
I have combed the forums on here as well as others, and wondering if there is any definitive answers on mounting miniature orchids on aquarium filter pad. I have fairly a fairly rigid sheet of biological filter that I am tempted to mount an order of bareroot Lepanthes on aquarium filter material (pictured). The filter pad might be the carbon infused typed. I may add a layer of hygrolon, and this pad could provide structure.

**Also, In general I am having trouble finding viable alternatives for suitable mount material online. I am trying to stay away from natural cork as it takes of too much space and too variable. I have not had luck tracking down compressed cork that is not laden with glue, or the type Ecuagenera uses (pictured).

Any thought or recommendations are appreciated. I know people on these boards have tried about everything at some point or another.

Thanks!

estación seca · #2 01-06-2024, 04:48 PM

It should work fine. I don't think it wicks water, so you'll need to ensure the plants are sprayed regularly. You won't be able to remove plants without extensive root damage.

Jmbaum · #3 01-06-2024, 04:56 PM

Thanks for your advice

They will be living in my wine cooler terrarium that is misted daily with 0-80 TDS.
Topping with Hygrolon as well.
Yes, for future repotting I'll will just have just place directly onto larger mount. The Lepanthes always hate having any root disturbance in my experience.

Jmbaum · #4 01-06-2024, 11:14 PM

Great, I just went for it today and made 16 mounts. Layered some bonsai mesh, filer pad (similar to Epiweb), and Hygrolon. I used hot glue and put and metal wire to make a hanging hook.

This is the first hook, they got better as I went along.