cork peices

[Chris147]

The best thing to do is to either order it from somewhere on the internet, i recommend repotme.com, or go to a reptile expo they have tons of cork bark.

[Call_Me_Bob]

alright thanks

[Ray]

You definitely want to avoid bulletin-board cork, as it's ground and reglued.

I have a ton of cork bark available.

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by Ray

I have a ton of cork bark available.

I can vouch for Ray's cork. Very impressive looking at a substantially lower price than I've found elsewhere. Just received ~2 lbs. from him today consisting of one approx 10x15" and the other approx. 8x15, which I'll probably cut into smaller pieces for mounts.

On the other hand I'm tempted to use at least one of them whole in my new terrarium. That will be another thread, as I'm just in the preliminary planning of how I want to outfit it. I just received a 36x18x36 tall Exo Terra yesterday (4th attempt to get one via Amazon after the first three shipments arrived partially shattered).

Edit: to correct dimensions of Exo Terra to 36x18x36

[Bud]

If you buy wood from hardware stores; chances are they are treated with chemicals(pressed wood); even the ordinary pine wood is sprayed with something on storage so as not to be eaten by mites...The cork board is put together with glue and pressed in a machine to flatten it. That is toxic to orchids. You are better off with pet shop cork wood for reptiles. They are cleaned and organic. You live in Penn...you are near the forests...if you can get logs for firewood that is organic...that is also good...chop them to your specification if you have an ax...maple and birch are nice to mount orchids since that have thick barks...I have a medium birch log that I put my dendrobium and its living for the past 3 yrs, but it got bigger and taller I just put it inside a large pot(see pic)...an old log long in the ground and decaying is the best...but since you wanted cork on the first place...Ray is the best guy for you

[Paul]

Considering the OP started this thread in June, it is likely too late for any of the current advice to be of any use to them at this present time. However.........

Roberts Flower Supply is also a good source for cork. You might keep them in mind for any future purchases. Also, keep your eyes open at orchid shows -- not uncommon to have at least one vendor at a show selling such. As already mentioned, reptile shows are also good places to look. I would advise skipping petstores -- they tend to be WAY over priced.

In the same vein, if you decide to try grapevine or mopani wood (this latter is a very heavy wood -- it sinks in water and is more resistant to decay than many other woods, especially when submerged) you are best off skipping the petstores and going to eBay or other online sources instead. I got some sweet pieces of mopani on eBay very cheaply. Unfortunately, a couple of the pieces wound up being so cool (IMO) that I couldn't bring myself to actually mount a plant on them and cover them up.

[keithrs]

I have used cedar fence on seedling with no problem.....

[HItransplant]

how about using cut up wine corks mounted to a piece of hardwood?

[Paul]

Originally Posted by HItransplant

how about using cut up wine corks mounted to a piece of hardwood?

That can be done though you can also simply take a bunch of corks, drill holes near the top end and bottom end, then wire or tie them together with fishing line to make a "raft" to mount them too. The only caution I have heard, is that it might be wise to soak corks from red wine for a couple of days in pure water. Something about possible issues with some compound found in some reds.

[HItransplant]

Originally Posted by Paul

That can be done though you can also simply take a bunch of corks, drill holes near the top end and bottom end, then wire or tie them together with fishing line to make a "raft" to mount them too. The only caution I have heard, is that it might be wise to soak corks from red wine for a couple of days in pure water. Something about possible issues with some compound found in some reds.

great, thanks!! These are "virgin" corks (I guess not technically, but they have never been used). I was thinking of attaching a bunch of corks to a 2 x 1 to make a plaque of sorts.