Ceramic mounts--how would you design them? - Orchid Board

peeweelovesbooks · #1 09-12-2009, 08:48 PM

So,

I got in touch with someone at the Ceramic league of Miami, and well, she's making some ceramic plant tags for me. So. Here's the thing....I want her to make some largish ceramic mounts for me. However, the problem that I'm having is that I want them to look as natural as possible, and of course, attractive.

I've tried teakwood--but the pieces, although really pretty, are small, and I can see that in about 2 years I'm going to have to move some of the plants from their mounts.

I also hate vanda baskets because they rot and well, look gross, so I was thinking maybe she can design somethign akin to a vanda basket but in ceramic.

So, I guess my question is---if you were designing a ceramic mount (for larger orchids such as catts or Laelias--what would it look like? how big would you make it? I want something natural looking but pretty and, well, functional.

Also, is the idea of a ceramic vanda basket totally ridiculous?

Your comments and suggestions are welcome.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #2 09-12-2009, 10:06 PM

Vanda ceramic baskets aren't ridiculous. I grow my Vandas in terra cotta pots just fine. Just make sure they're not glazed.

johnblagg · #3 11-27-2009, 11:25 AM

I think I would like to see a ceramic mount that looks like a piece of tree trunk with a knot hole in the side.I would then probably want the chid to be growing out of the hole or just under it.

you might even have the knot hole designed as a reservoir that you could fill with water to saok into the rest of the mount like they do with the swampstick things.

Connie Star · #4 11-28-2009, 12:22 AM

Hi Maria,
I'm very curious to see what you come up with. There was an online store that made "swamp sticks" which were ceramic mounts, but they are apparently out of business. I think if you used a low fired unglazed clay with a reservoir it might wick up to keep the orchid moist. Maybe your ceramicist could use a hollow tree branch as a sort of mold? It would burn up when fired and might leave a nice pattern. I don't know enough about ceramics to know if this would work.

By the way, I'm still waiting for my pots from Clay Trout- about 6 weeks. They did respond to my email at least, saying they'll be sent next week.

mollycart1 · #5 11-28-2009, 01:03 AM

I know this vender. Those hydromounts seem to work.
Catalog

johnblagg · #6 11-28-2009, 08:00 AM

now that is what I was thinking of.

ronaldhanko · #7 11-30-2009, 02:36 PM

It sticks in my mind that quite some time ago there was a company making ceramic mounts that were hollow inside and could be filled from the top with water, providing a constantly moist environment. I never used them, but wonder if anyone did and if they were any good.

Connie Star · #8 11-30-2009, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronaldhanko

It sticks in my mind that quie some time ago there was a company making ceramic mounts that were hollow inside and could be filled from the top with water, providing a constantly moist environment. I never used them, but wonder if anyone did and if they were any good.

I think that's the same one I found, "Swamp Sticks" but they are apparently out of business.