Phalaenopsis mounted on synthetics

[DelawareJim]

Last year I mounted a Phal. schilleriana on EcoWeb/EpiWeb, a type of synthetic tree fern fibre. It's been growing well, but the roots look a bit constricted by the tightness of the weave as they grow in it. So this year I'm trying a Phal. bellina on a slab of Matala pool filter material. I choose the most open of the four weaves they have (the black filter) to see if it accommodates the roots any better. Seeing how open the weave is, I probably should have gone with one of the two middle coarseness pads. It still holds some water, but not as much as the EcoWeb/EpiWeb.

Phal. schilleriana on EcoWeb/EpiWeb


The back, showing the weave


Phal. bellina on Matala filter pad


The back, showing the weave


Cheers.
Jim

[WhiteRabbit]

Good info! Thanks posting it!

[Ray]

Jim, I think your concerns are a bit unfounded.

As a root grows into such materials, the cells are not forced to stay within the individual spaces between the web, but actually surround the web, ending up with a root that actually occupies many voids and the web in-between. (Hence, we don't even THINK about removing the plant from the mount.) It's more-or-less the same as when a tree incorporates a piece of wire fence.

I find that as long as I am a frequent, consistent waterer, I see no such "constrictions".

[WaterWitchin]

I have a water garden store, so noticed the Matala mat possibilities when I started with orchids. They were one of my first "go-to" medias and GREAT for tolumnia.

Unfortunately, also found out I am not great at mounted plants.

[DelawareJim]

Originally Posted by Ray

Jim, I think your concerns are a bit unfounded.

As a root grows into such materials, the cells are not forced to stay within the individual spaces between the web, but actually surround the web, ending up with a root that actually occupies many voids and the web in-between. (Hence, we don't even THINK about removing the plant from the mount.) It's more-or-less the same as when a tree incorporates a piece of wire fence.

I find that as long as I am a frequent, consistent waterer, I see no such "constrictions".

Ray;

The fence wire in the tree analogy was exactly what I was thinking about when I saw the roots growing in the EcoWeb. I wasn't sure how that would affect the roots and plant long-term, and decided to experiment with a material with a larger pore matrix just to see if there was any difference.

I know that once the plant "accepts" the synthetic mount you're committed for life. I do feel though that it is a better alternative to the limited resource of tree fern and you don't have to worry about your mount rotting away.

Cheers.
Jim

[Ray]

A tip to users: soak the EcoWeb or Epiweb in a citric acid solution overnight before use. I really have no idea why, but the plants take to it much faster.

[zxyqu]

Ray where on earth did you come up with citric acid solution. Sounds like a good story. Also what kind of concentrations and how would you make it up. Thanks.

[Cactuseed]

looks like a salt build up issue to me

[ronaldhanko]

I hate this stuff (apologies to all who are using it successfully). It is terrible for salt buildup and we have some of the best water in the country. Not only that but the roots tend to grow right through it and attach to whatever is behind. Maybe it's just my conditions, but it has not been a success for me.

[RosieC]

The Dendrobiums I have on it struggled at first, but I persevered and over last summer they really go growing well.

Interesting Ray's comment about citric acid, I need to remember that when I put another on it (I have one I'm planning to in the spring).