Query/Assist with first mount...

[WaterWitchin]

Greetings more learned ones...

Attempting my first mounting project. Well, first one that I think may work now that I know just enough to be dangerous. (tried about six years back=miserable fail)

I have a pot...



I was using for different orchid, but have moved it. The jar has a small pump in it (pot's got water in it) and it bubbles around to add humidity. I want to set a stump with mounted orchids on top.

The orchids: (Tillisandia on one side, BLC x SLC cross on the other) and perhaps an LC x C cross, which may be overkill.





I haven't tied them down yet, because I want to see what those who are "in the know" think about the overall mount before proceeding. Does it look okay? Workable?

I put a sphagnum moss pad beneath each one. Plan on tying on with 20g copper wire. Also, it's a heavy stump and I don't plan on actually picking it up to soak. Hoping me spraying it heavily each day will be enough.

Your thoughts and advice and suggestions, please??? I will be most grateful.

[cbuchman]

Looks like a great project! I've had great luck attaching plant to mounts using fishing line and it doesn't show which is nice.

Generally, you will need to keep the wood moist in order for the roots to grow into it which is what you want. I think you can do that with a spray bottle, if you are diligent about it. Also remember that when it is hot, you may have to mist multiple times a day.

I've had good luck kick starting root growth using KLN (or Kelp based fertilizer) according to the instructions (usually about 1 teas/gal).

I assume that all the plants you are mounting take similar care in terms of light, temps and the like.

Good Luck! I can't wait to hear more about how it is going. Please keep us up to date.

[Daethen]

Looks great to me. If you are going to place it on that pot, you should be able to pour a small amount of water over the stump to water with the extra running into the pot. I have started to use cut up nylons to tie them in place. They grab onto the mounts easily. As roots grow it stretches enough to not harm them. I cut off a 1 inch (or so) section of leg, cut the round so that it has ends and then stretch it out. It becomes thin and easy to use. Have fun with it.

[billc]

Looks like a great idea. Make sure to leave more than enough room for the plants to grow. I use sisal twine to secure them to the mount. By the time it deteriorates the roots are securing themselves to the mount. I would stay away from bare copper, to get it tight enough to hold the plant may cause the wire to dig into the roots.

Bill

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by cbuchman

Looks like a great project! I've had great luck attaching plant to mounts using fishing line and it doesn't show which is nice.

Generally, you will need to keep the wood moist in order for the roots to grow into it which is what you want. I think you can do that with a spray bottle, if you are diligent about it. Also remember that when it is hot, you may have to mist multiple times a day.

I've had good luck kick starting root growth using KLN (or Kelp based fertilizer) according to the instructions (usually about 1 teas/gal).

I assume that all the plants you are mounting take similar care in terms of light, temps and the like.

Good Luck! I can't wait to hear more about how it is going. Please keep us up to date.

Thanks for your advice... I've done the KLN, and hopefully have right plants to suit the microclimate. Focus is on Tillandsia. Started out with putting in a paph, because of the mount size... then thought, WTQ, wrong.wrong.wrong. Hopefully the companion plant(s) will now agree.

---------- Post added at 10:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:27 PM ----------

I will try something different than the copper wire, other than perhaps the one Catt.cross, using it only on the plant, not roots.

Really not sure if I have more upcoming roots than space. Guess time will tell. Have dc'd one catt from the piece. Just brought home some more wood for a possible mount. The sickly extra will go into a spag n bell jar.

Did find some jewelry "elastic" in my hobby drawers... might work same as the pantyhose? Used my last bit of hose to put schtuff into a fish tank... don't wear 'em anymore, thank God, but still have none left. Oh, the stories I could tell about what crazy things I've use panty hose for. A quite excellent plant project. The rest of ya... get yer mind outta the gutter. LOL

Fishin' line.... ummmm, have lots of it. But have tried it before on many projects.. just too easy to cut into the plant.

Actually seriously considered a dab of hot glue. If I can "water" well enough to not bang or move it around too much 'til the roots set... ummmm, why not? The pot sits right next to my desk, where I spend more time than I'd like.

Will move forward, and hopefully keep folks apprised.

[WaterWitchin]

PS Anyone want to chime in on using a hot glue gun to mount orchids? I've used on Tillisandia with no ill effect, and in java fern application to rocks/driftwood for an aquarium.

If not, perhaps I'll go for it.

[Daethen]

It may not hurt, but I would be a bit nervous to use it. It hurts our skin, don't want to cook the roots

[WhiteRabbit]

I don't think you want to use hot glue.
I believe you can use "liquid nails" glue. Don't glue roots.

I did get these search results for using glue, and there is at least one about using hot glue (I didn't read it) - they should help
http://www.google.com/m?hl=en&gl=us&...unting+orchids

I recently tried nylon pantyhose strips, and can recommend using them.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Such a cool idea, keep us posted.