Changing moss on mounts

[SaraJean]

So I have quite a few orchids that I put on mounts 2 years ago. The sphagnam moss that I used is on its last leg so should I pull some of it off and try to replace it? It's looking pretty compacted. Do I need to worry as much about it breaking down and becoming toxic like I do the orchids I have potted in sphagnam?

[SaraJean]

Some more examples:/

[Joseia]

I would like to get an answer to this question also. I have a couple of phals on mounts and the moss is looking nasty and I've also been thinking about pulling off the old moss and putting on some new moss. Is it necessary?

[Dollythehun]

I'd be curious too.

[billc]

I have some mounted phals and some tolumnia types and I have changed the moss somewhat successfully. The phals, because of the thicker roots weren't too hard to do. Just get a tweezer and work all the moss you can off. Trim any dead roots and overlay with some new moss. You may want to go light on the new moss and increase your watering frequency.
Finely rooted plants like Masdies or Tolumnias are more of a crap shoot. The roots are delicate and easily damaged with the tweezers. Patience is required. Just remove as much as you can. You can't get all, especially if when you mounted it you laid the plant on a bed of moss. The roots tend to bind the moss to the mount.
When I first started mounting plants I used way too much moss. It's not like potting up a plant where you want to cover all the roots. The mount is just a support for the roots to adhere to. You should try for higher humidity and mist or water every day.

Good Luck!
Bill

[wintergirl]

Yes, you really should take out old moss after 9 months to a year. I wet the mount and use tweeters. Leave the roots intact and pull the moss out around them. If the roots are thick and have been growing off the moss pad you might be able to leave the moss out. I tried some for a few days with moss out and they were getting dry so I tucked new moss in. Once you do it, it gets really easy to do again.

[wintergirl]

Some you may have to completely remount, this is one I just remounted. That was 2 months ago, the plant is fine.

[bil]

Well, I have no long term experience with mounts, but I do know what I will and won't be doing when my mounts pass the two year mark next spring.

First off, the moss going toxic? I assume you mean anoxic.
Not a chance in hell. Again, it's down to physics here. Orchid roots genuinely don't give a toss what they are in as long as they are getting enough water and air to the roots, and just a smidgeon of fertiliser.

The moss may break down, but it will do so way more slowly than it would in a pot because it dries out superfast.

So the answer simply put is that I simply won't be touching them, unless the mounts rot thru, OR, the moss rots away, is taken by birds (yep. it happens.) whatever, and I think that more moss is needed to keep the roos wet enough when it's hot and dry.

I might put the mount in a bucket of water and swirl it about to remove any bits of moss that are totally rotted. If I can be bothered, because there simply can't be much 'soil' hanging on when it gets sprayed quite forcefully each morning.

I would not touch the roots or the plant, or the remaining moss. I would simply hang the mount where I culd work on it easily, tie on a length of braided fishing line, -not the monofilament as that shows adly to my eyes.
Then I would cover the roots with moss, and wrap that with the line.

Basically, that is it.

[wintergirl]

If that works for you bil, then great. I have noticed mounts start to slowly die over time unless I change the moss in my mini's. I looked closer at the mounts in question, they are very large with large roots. I would just wet itgood and pick out the old stuff and leave moss free.

[jkofferdahl]

In the 25+ years in which I've grown mounted orchids I've never changed out the moss on a mount while leaving the plant on the same mount. Its not needed, and simply creates extra work. The purpose of the moss is, yes, partly to help keep moisture on the roots, but also to protect the roots from the fishing line used to tie them down. If the roots are secure then leave it alone.