cork peices

[Call_Me_Bob]

is it okay to mount a phal on a peice of cork board? like bulletin board, you know,the kind you can get at michaels?

[camille1585]

My instinct would be to be careful, I think cork boards are made of chopped up cork which is then pressed and glued into boards. I'm not sure if the glue is toxic to orchids or not.

[Call_Me_Bob]

oh, can i buy hardwood at lowes? what kind should i get?

[camille1585]

I don't think wood from Lowes will work either. Wood is nearly always treated with fungicides and other nasty stuff. I think the best way to get material for mounting would be either to get it from specialized sources, or use driftwood, or dried wood from trees that are known to be safe for orchids. I don't know which those are, hopefully others will know.

I'm lucky that France is a cork producing country, so it's quick easy to get to use for mounts.

[WhiteRabbit]

I have gotten small cork bark pieces, as well as small grapewood pieces at the pet store. They are meant for hermit crabs (the cork bark) and reptiles, so I figured they should be safe for orchids. Haven't had any problems with orchids mounted on them. You can also get mopani wood (for fish tanks and reptiles) at some pet stores. I have seen rather large pieces too.

I think incredibleorchids on ebay also sometimes has cork bark, as well as tree fern fiber slabs. These can be bought online from orchid supply websites as well.

[Call_Me_Bob]

what is mopani? i would need something big, my phal to be mounted has a leaf span of 19" and its in a 5" pot thats absolutely PACKED with roots. so i would need something big. what would you say is best that i can get locally?

[camille1585]

Good idea about the pet shops wabbit, I forgot about that!

Depending on your luck, the wood they sell can be quite large, but maybe not as lare as you'd like. It might still be worth looking at your local Petsmart or other to see what they have.

[WhiteRabbit]

I don't know what you might have available locally. Keep in mind if mounting a large plant - you need somewhere to put it inside when weather outside is to cold for it. I don't know what you have - if you are able to have a grow room with lights that's great!
You might have to do some hunting around to find something to mount your plant on. You could ask at Lowes if the wood is treated in any way

[Call_Me_Bob]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

I don't know what you might have available locally. Keep in mind if mounting a large plant - you need somewhere to put it inside when weather outside is to cold for it. I don't know what you have - if you are able to have a grow room with lights that's great!
You might have to do some hunting around to find something to mount your plant on. You could ask at Lowes if the wood is treated in any way

i have room inside, thankfully!

if the wood isnt treated in any way, is that okay? if it isnt treated, then what type is best?

i think ill call petco and petsmart on monday,

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by help

i have room inside, thankfully!

if the wood isnt treated in any way, is that okay? if it isnt treated, then what type is best?

i think ill call petco and petsmart on monday,

I'm not sure what type is best -
Yeah check out the pet stores
Hopefully someothers will be able to advise you on other options