New to site, questions on mounting orchids

[ctparkin]

Hi, I'm new to this site and have read some wonderful things. I have around 40 orchids of many different types. I want to start mounting some because of lack of space and I have never done that before. What orchids can be mounted? I have had success with all my orchids but I am still learning and really don't know much about them. Any help or info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Tammy

[Brooke]

Most epiphytes loves to be mounted if you can meet their watering requirements.

Which ones do you want to mount?

Brooke

[Dorothy]

WELCOME TAMMY
Glad you have joined us here at the OB
Brooke hit the nail on the head when she asked which orchids you wish to mount ...
Once we know what orchids you have .. I am sure there will be many here which will make suggestions as to which are best to mount

[Ross]

Welcome Tammy. I also agree. It's probably easier to list the ones that don't take to mounting. At a show today I saw all sorts of mounted orchids large and small. Just ask about the ones you are considering and there will probably be someone that has it mounted. If it is not suitable you'll hear that as well.

[ctparkin]

In my collection I have:
Cattleya
Colmanara
Cymbidium
Oncidium
Encyclia
Dendrochilum
Paphiopedilum
Phalaenopsis
Dendrobium
And some I have no idea what they are. My collection started as my Mothers and when she passed away I inherited them and received some from a co worker from divisions. I can use all the help I can get. Thanks
Tammy

[epiphyte78]

Cattleya - Yes
Colmanara - Yes
Cymbidium - No, unless you're sure it's an epiphyte
Oncidium - Yes
Encyclia - Yes
Dendrochilum - No experience but only a couple of Andy's Orchids Dendrochilums are mounted so I'd hold off and wait for further feedback.
Paphiopedilum - No
Phalaenopsis - Maybe, depends how moist you can keep it
Dendrobium - Yes (it's easier to mount top heavy Dendrobiums upside down).

There are two main things to keep in mind when mounting your orchids...

1. attaching them as securely as possible. If the orchid is not tightly attached to the mount then it will wobble and any new roots will be damaged and growth will be stunted. The most common method is 12lb fishing line that's wrapped around the orchid and mount several times and then tied off by twining the ends 4 times before tying several square knots.

The method I use is to tie a slip knot on one end of regular synthetic string and loop the other end through the hole of the slip knot. This creates a loop that I place over the orchid and it's mount. When I pull the string tight, the slip knot hole closes on the string and maintains tension on its own. The drawback is the string is unsightly but after the roots have attached themselves I carefully remove the string.

2. keeping them moist enough. Mounted orchids require more watering than potted orchids. I try to pick mounts that are highly textured. The more surface area the mount has the more moisture it will hold. Most people recommend using hard wood because it lasts longer but I just use any available branch with rough bark. I've got a few orchids mounted on soft wood mounts that are pretty much decomposed but are being held together by the orchids' roots.

Usually I place a compacted clump (the size of a morning star griller patty) of green sphagnum moss between the orchid and the mount. The amount of moss you use is inversely related to the amount of water you can give your mounted orchids. The more water you can give your mounted orchids the less moss you'll need to use. If you use New Zealand sphagnum then you'll need a smaller amount because it retains more moisture than green sphagnum moss.

[Des]

I use Australian bottlebrush to mount my plants. Orchids thrive growing on it, their roots cling to the rough bark and wrap around the mount . I also fix a large fishing swivel to the top of the mount . this lets me turn the mount every few months so that the plant then grows around the mount . I am in the process of mounting several Miltonia Spectabilis var moreliana in this manner and the result (I hope ) will be stunning

[William]

So glad you started this thread Tammy. I'm also new to mounting so I think I'll give it a try. Perhaps a Dendrobium would be a good start. I like the idea of growing it upside down. How does that cork kind of wood work?

[Ross]

Cork "slabs" work fantastic if you have the space, especially for Cats, Encyclias or even Dendros that need room to roam.

[William]

That's what I'll do then. The cork slabs it is. I have a whole patio for it and since I live in Florida, weather should be no problem.