One mount, two species...

[OrchidsDownUnder]

I have one biggish orchid friendly space, and one biggish block of wood to put in it. Due to issues drilling holes in walls, putting up a heap of small mounts is not an option.

I also have around 10 small plants from two different species (liparis reflexa and sarcochilus falcatus) that need mounting.

I thought i'd pop all the plants on the one big board, that is until I spoke to a lad at a local orchid show. He strongly implied that my vision was, at best, foolish. I suggested I ensure that each have half the mount so as not to compete but he was unconvinced.

What do you think about having two species on the same mount? Is it 'unnatural'? Will god smite me?

[Paul Mc]

As long as they have similar culture, I don't see what the problem is. You would do a similar thing in terrariums. The only thing is that overtime it will grow together making separation harder.

[stefpix]

In nature sometimes plants they grow together. Makes me wonder if it could make one grow faster to compete with the other. I saw branches with different epiphytes and mosses on it.

I do not really see many problems unless one is shading the other.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

No problems will occur if all the orchids on the same mount have the same cultural requirements. If you don't overcrowd the mount, you should not have any issues with one species overgrowing another.

[keithrs]

Andy's orchids here in the states sells "species sticks". I have seen 10 different plants on the same stick.