Safest way to attach seedlings to cork

[HarmoniaGardens]

I've got a set of Brassavola Nodosa seedlings that all fell out of their pots last night when I dropped their tray. Thankfully nothing is actually damaged. They've been growing in a seedling mix of orchiata bark and stuff (I can't recall), so I'm hoping it won't be much of a shock to the plants to mount them, bareroot to some corkbark.

I'm worried about attaching them with fishing line. I'd prefer to use a glue, but I don't want anything that may harm the plants. Any recommendations?

[jkofferdahl]

I've never heard of using glue, though I suppose it's a possibility. I'd want to make really sure that nothing in the glue would be harmful to the plants.

Typically, fine fishing line is used - and is what I use. A pad of sphagnum can help to soften the pull of the line against the plant and roots, though you shouldn't need to use it so tightly that it will harm the plant. The idea is to hold the plant steady until the roots adhere. I've mounted literally hundreds of orchids in this manner.

[DeaC]

I've heard and seen talks about using glue and I'm sure Googling it will show something. I'd rather poke myself in the eye than use fishing line.I've cut up the plastic,mesh wrappers that,say,onions come in. Put your plant on a mount and moss on top.Wrap the onion wrapper around it.I use small gauge green wire to attach all and eventually roots will grab onto the mount and wrapper can be removed.Works for me! Good luck.

[fishmom]

Strips of panty hose fabric work well also, if you have that available.

[katrina]

Zip ties work fabulously! As does floral wire. I used to use fishing line when I first started mounting but always thought it kind of a pain...switched to the wire and then in a pinch one time I used zip ties. Now zip ties are my first go-to.

[Ray]

If you can get some coconut husk fiber, lay a mass of strands over the root mass, and then use a staple gun to attach the fiber to the cork bark. Once the plants become established, just pull the staples.

[estación seca]

Dental floss.

[katrina]

Originally Posted by Ray

If you can get some coconut husk fiber, lay a mass of strands over the root mass, and then use a staple gun to attach the fiber to the cork bark. Once the plants become established, just pull the staples.

What a brilliant idea! I think I'll try this next time I do a mount.

[Pattywack]

There is a type of glue used and sold by Tillandsia growers for attaching Tillys to their mounts. Some vendors sell this glue. I'm not sure you would want to use it on an orchid? I've used it before on Tillys.

[Roberta]

When using glue on Tillandsias, the glue isn't typically touching the growing part of the plant. Tillies get their water and nutrients through their leaves... roots if any just hold on. Orchids, on the other hand, really don't have any parts that are not growing or otherwise sustaining the plant. Even if it doesn't chemically harm the plant, glue would plug pores and prevent growth. I think it would be a really bad idea for orchids, which need "attachments" that don't interfere with growth and water intake. If they are happy, in a year or sometimes less if mounted in active root growth, they probably won't even need help hanging on to the mount, but will do what they do in nature, grab on with the growing roots.