Is mounting like this Ok for this Phal?

[Priya_H]

So I had an extra piece of cork bark (all natural) which I couldn't fit into my hermit crab terrarium...so I thought why don't I try mounting one of my mini phals on it? All my orchids are growing like crazy on this windowsill but their moss needs replacing...and I don't really like putting in moss...but also having a hard time finding bark. All I find are the finely ground stuff.

So what do you think? I gave the bark and the phal a good watering then tied the plant (gently but snugly) to the bark with some kitchen twine. If this set up is OK, how often should I mist and water them? All my phals get a daily misting and I water them whenever they need it (usually 1-2 times/week in the summer). But I understand that changes with mounting.

Here are pics:

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[Kevin_PR]

Looks great. I think the watering depens on the amount of light you give it. My 1 phal at home I water daily. I also have a phal mounted on a tree at my rest. for the last 3 years. I never water/fertilize it but it has huge leaves and flowers periodically. This one grows in low light.

[tucker85]

I think it looks perfect. I generally mist or water my mounted phals almost every day but once they're established you can take off for a weekend without watering.

[Priya_H]

Thank you both! Glad I did it right...it's my first time doing something like this. I added a couple more pics (last one is on its side here..i dont know how or why. weird) which I just took. I just mounted the plant and took me like 5 minutes (if that).

I am thinking of leaving it on the windowsill..all 3 have been growing like crazy...tons of new roots (every few days I see a new one) and new leaves ever since I put them on that South windowsill. Before that (did it this month), they sat idle for over 6 months. If this works out, I'm getting more bark and driftwood from the pet store

On a piece of concrete slab (quite small, as you can probably tell)...mounted s my other mini. I will soon get a bark to put this one on. Then get a large driftwood to mount my giant phal. I think they will like it! If it's raining on the day they need some water, I can just put them out for a few minutes, then bring them in!

here it is on concrete

Together

[Kevin_PR]

Awesome. It looks like your phals are super happy. I definitely think mounting is the way to go with most orchids

[Priya_H]

You wouldn't believe this, but they were just sitting dormant for over 6 months in their pots...until I moved them to the windowsill earlier this month. They had proper care, lights, water etc but they just were not growing. I noticed a difference in their health as soon as the first week of relocation. Now they're growing roots and leaves without any commercial fertilizer)!! I was so surprised, I moved the giant phal (which just dropped last flowers after blooming for over 6 months). I was expecting it to lie dormant for a bit...but nope! Roots and leaves all over on that one too!

I recently found out how easy and better it is to mount...and it's the only way I'm going now I love orchids..learning the ropes with phals for now...I will get some more later. Thinking of hanging the barks on my living room wall...it has tons of natural and fluorescent lights as well. I'm so glad to have found this forum!

[Priya_H]

Mounted my giant on a cork today. Here they are all on the kitchen peninsula (I keep them on the windowsill ..planning to hang them on the living room wall, behind the TV. I think it'll be nice)

[kindrag23]

O my goodness I will say giant phal, looks great. I have been thinking of trying hanging my mini phal once its roots get good and going again. I have plenty of small pieces of pet wood from my tortoise out growing them. Hmm I may have to give this a try.

[Priya_H]

I had a piece of cork lying around...and I was bored. Also the moss needed replacing and I also happened to have an almost unused roll of cotton kitchen twine..so yeah..that's how it all started yesterday, kindrag23 You should definitely give this thing a try. It's a fun project

Oh I took the mini on the concrete off because it wasn't really working out. I had some fresh coconut last night (and so did my hermit crabs) and I had the shells around. Sooo...since plant and the concrete wasn't working out...and my package of NZ Sphagnum moss from a local orchid supplier arrived earlier today (moss for the hermit tank)..I thought hmmm...and this happened:



Yes, the coconut shell has really good drainage, thanks to the 2 holes at the bottom! And the moss isn't packed tight. This plant doesn't have many roots..what you see is pretty much all (maybe one long root down there, if that. But this happy plant is growing a lot of new arial roots, so I think this will work. I'll try to hang this somehow (after I figure out how).

[kindrag23]

Masonry drill bit and a rope? Excellent usage I like it!

Also my mini is in rescue mode and has to get good root growth again before I mount it.