Questions about mounting

[beck]

I have recently decided that sice I live in the tropics and keep all my orchids outside, I'd like to mount most of them. I think they look so much nicer in more natural settings. I have spoken to a few local (Far North Qld in Australia) orchid growers and there is a very au natural attitude to doing this here. The main advice seems to be pull them out of the pot and tie them on to whatever you want to mount them on and you'll be right. (queenslanders are generally people of very few words!) However I would like to know once mounted what fertiliser people use and also is there a 'best' time to mount them. I have heard when they are active is the best time I am assuming this means when they are growing new spikes as opposed to when they are out jogging?? Would love to hear any suggestions anyone has!

[TADD]

Hey Beck, I find the best time to mount orchids is when they are beginning new growths. New growths = new roots, so they will cling on to the mount. If you can water them enough, tree fern poles are good, cork is good, any really hardwood you can find like cypress or good oak pieces... Other than that. I will sometimes put a small pad of sphag behind the plant to keep it somewhat moist. I do not water every day though. I might spray mist them with a squirt bottle, I water them every two days(I grow inside). If you are growing outside you will probably need to water at least once a day. Sorry for the rambling.

[beck]

Thanks Tadd. I'm currently thinking of mounting a couple of Phals on a staghorn, (my boyfriend laughed hysterically at this and told me he'd take the photos) however.... Im in Far North Qld Australia and I dont know if you get staghorns over there. Have tried to attach a photo of one. Mine is smaller and rounder and the leaves grow more downward. I like the Idea of having the stag fern still looking great while the orchids are not flowering. I will try using the sphag you suggested. Its so humid here that keeping things moist is no problem!!! I will let you know how this goes.

[Ray]

I would absolutely NOT recommend mounting the orchids on a staghorn fern, as they will ultimately compete for resources.

Feeding and watering only changes in frequency, not chemistry.

The best time to repot or mount is right when new root growth is starting.

[Piper]

I'm with Ray on the Staghorn, and would also suggest you keep in mind the pH preference of the critter you're mounting and the material it's being mounted on.

Typically, cork bark, tree fern, etc are fine, but if you're considering out of the box ideas, make sure you're in the right pH zone for the plant you're mounting.

Julie

[beck]

Thanks for the advice guys have mounted them on some fresh water driftwood instead and they seem to be going well.