for Tindomul1of9: mounting info - Page 2 - Orchid Board

cb977 · #11 05-05-2006, 08:03 AM

This will be my first time attending the festival...here's a link:
http://www.redlandorchidfestival.org/index.html

Oscarman · #12 05-05-2006, 01:48 PM

Thank you for the link.
That looks like an awesome event! I particularily like the extra features:
US Department of Agriculture - Inspectors will be on hand to provide phytosanitary certificates and CITES documentation for those wishing to take plants out of the country.

Looks like I need to plan a trip in 2007!

Tindomul · #13 05-05-2006, 03:10 PM

That looks awesome. I wish I lived in Florida

cb977 · #14 05-05-2006, 03:31 PM

[COLOR=#000000]Looks like I need to plan a trip in 2007!

Sounds like a plan!!! Everybody I've spoken to that has attended the event in the past have all said it is a really fun time...I can't wait!

Stefanie · #15 05-15-2006, 05:01 PM

Redlands is supposed to be a fabulous show, but I too have never been!

As for mounting... be prepared for your first mounts to take a while to get back in the groove of things. The smaller the plant to begin with, the less set back they seem to be. Seedling phals are good "starter" plants for mounting!

Another good way to mount - especially in a greenhouse environment where you have lots of room, is to mount the plant with the cork/limb laying flat.. this way gravity helps the roots hold on, and it's easier to water. I sometimes get the really shallow baking tinfoil trays.. like the kind you put in the bottom of your oven, and put the mount on its bark in that. Easy to water.. what water is left in the tray evaporates quickly, and provides extra moisture to the mount and plant. Once it's established you can hang it vertically, and the plant will take on its natural shape.

If you're going to do a horizontal mount using fishing line, I always recommend putting a bit of sphagnum between the line and the root or plant.. especially if you're trying to mount a big plant.. that way the line won't cut into the tender roots. And don't be afraid to use a lot of line if that's what's needed to keep the plant in place. If the plant rocks on the mount, the roots will hesitate to take hold.. they really need to be firmly seated.

cb977 · #16 05-15-2006, 07:40 PM

Hi Stef and welcome to the board! Thanks for your input on mounting. I have a piece of driftwood that is about 2 ft long with 2 smaller "limbs" about 8 inches each coming out from the bottom. It looks like an upside down letter "T" and my husband made a stand for it. At Redlands, I am hoping to find 2 miniatures (have no idea what exactly yet) so I can mount one on the left bottom "limb" with a stem that grows in an upward direction, and another to mount at the top that has a hanging stem. I thought I'd bring a picture of the driftwood with me to the show and maybe I can get a professional's opinion on what 2 plants would work for what I'm imagining. I appreciate your input, enjoy the board

Tindomul · #17 05-15-2006, 09:51 PM

Welcome to the board, and your help is most welcome! I hope to mount many orchids to drift wood, and slabs of cork wood, and put them inside a vivarium. I suppose I should start mounting now, and then when the viv is ready in a few years, I would transfer them. I don't have access to a greenhouse, I hope I can find a place to grow baby orchids on wood.

cb977 · #18 05-23-2006, 03:01 PM

I was a little nervous about mounting, didn't want to damage anything and wanted to make sure everything was secure. After I did the first one on the small cork (photos of mountings in my gallery now), I realized it couldn't have been simpler. Go for it!

WEA · #19 10-10-2006, 07:06 PM

The Redlands is and agricultural area south west of Miami, Florida that has a high concentration of nurseries ... including many orchid nurseries. Most of them have gone retail, but some still sell mainly wholesale or at orchid shows. Going to the Redlands was an all day Saturday adventure. Also the Redland Orchid Growers, in the past, have had open house week-ends when they all stay open and have special sales. I believe they call it down sizing their stock. Anyway it used to be quite a showy week-end. I've been gone from Miami area for several years and do not know if the practice is still held, but I do know the orchid growers are well concentrated in that area.
There is also the Annual Redlands Orchid Sale, usually held at The Rare Fruit & Spice Park in the Homestead/Redlands area.

orcdfrk · #20 10-10-2006, 08:53 PM

Another option instead of fishing line would be Ty-wraps or some call them 'Zap-straps'. I've got a few mounted with those and its a little easier than trying to hold the mount between your knees while you wrangle with the fishing line. Here are some of mine.