Mopani wood for mounts +

[Otis226]

So, I'm sorry if this question has already been asked, but I foujnd some African hardwood called Mopani at the local flea mkt. this weekend. It is supposedly used in making higher end furniture and in the pet trade for use in aquariums and reptile or bird enclosures. It is really nice looking with lots of nooks and crannies. Had any experienced mounters ever used mopani and can they share their experiences? Also, we have a few Pindo palms in the yard and one, a female throws giant see pods from time to time. Do you think the thick husk of this palm seedpod could work as a mounting medium? I can include photos tomorrow in case no one knows what I'm talking about, but there seems to be enough folks from FL that shoud be familiar with the female Pindo.
Thanks,
Tony (thinking of trying 2-3 mounts eventually)

[RJSquirrel]

mopani is fine for orchids..good hard wood no oil. i get it used from the fish stores when I catch em cleaning the tanks. Have to let it dry out bec they sell it by the pound. the seed pod would break down faster in respects to good hard wood. wouldnt ya think? seed pods are meant to break down in the environment. I don't see any trouble using them though, in fact kind of cool miniature orchids in seed pods

[Paul Mc]

I actually am using the mopani wood for mounting my miniatures on in a new terrarium. There seem to be several benefits to Mopani and driftwood, primarily being that they take much longer to develop mold and break down when exposed to high humidity environments.

[Otis226]

Appreciate the replies, guys. Yes, I kinda though the pindo palm pod 'wood' was a bit of a strech for use in mounting , but I'm always lookin' and love to experiment.

I may try somthing like a small bromeliad on it and see how long before it breaks down. I KNOW its not gonna last anywhere near a hardwood or cork bark would, but I have a small, free supply so I had to ask.
One good thing, It can be soaked and the shape changed to the way you want it, then dried in the sun and its as hard as ever.

The flea mkt guy where I got my mopani does sell it by the pound also, (4 bucks per lb).

[Kelo]

The seed pods looks as if they will be fine for mounting as long as you know you may have to get rid of it sooner rather than later. The pods look thick enough and sturdy enough to last several years so, personally, I would use them unless they are very, very difficult to find and you can't stand the thought of having to throw them out one day.

[Otis226]

Decided not to use the palm pods for a mount. My wife just painted a few orchid scenes on one and I kind of like that. They are certainly a renewable resource, since the female pindo plam in our yard puts out several each season.

[glengary54]

Just out of curiousity, how heavy is the piece of mopani wood in your picture? And does your vendor have tall pieces?

[Otis226]

I haven't hefted it in a while, as it has a Phal Brother Sara Gold mounted and its ready to rebloom anytime now, but its got much more weight to it than say grapewood, corkbark or tree fern mounts for sure...maybe between 2 1/2 to 4 lbs. I think I saw one piece that was taller last time I was at this vendors place, (a flea mkt stall), but that was a while ago.

Tony