The wisdom of unmounting

[Dollythehun]

Hi, all. I think I know what I'm going to do, but I'd like you thoughts and tips.

I recently bought two babies: A Rodrumnia and a mini Oncidium croseus. I posted the pictures in a recent thread of Subrosa's. These little guys are on cork with spag on top of the roots. Absolutely, stinkin' adorable. Healthy as can be (I highly recommend Olympic orchids). But, I hate mounts; I wish I had never mounted the first plant!

So, is there a wisdom or method you all use to unmount and pot? Tips? Before I plunge into this, I'd like some feedback.

[Subrosa]

I recently unmounted my Marvingerberera Jason from a cedar slab and put it into s/h. I soaked it very well and spent a lot of time teasing roots off the mount. Not much more to it, but much easier said than done.

[Leafmite]

After removing an orchid from the mount, you can let it sit bare-root for a few days to give the roots a chance to Heal (I even spray the roots with water once a day) and then pot them up.

I have a pair of Dendrobiums that would have been a real pain to remove from the mount so I stuck the mounts in pots and put medium around the mounts. The new orchid roots are growing into the medium and the new pseudobulbs are growing in the pot and not up the mount.

Good luck!

[Orchid Whisperer]

If the mounts will fit in a pot, I would recommend something similar to what Leafmite suggested for the Dendrobium.

Stick the whole mount in a pot. place some medium around the mount, up to the base of Pseudobulbs, but don't bury them. the plant will likely continue to grow and bloom just fine.

I have a Slc. Jewel Box 'Dark Waters' that is mounted. It bloomed on the mount, I just dropped the whole mount in a pot to display it in the living room, and also at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia's "Orchid Madness" event in February.

[Dollythehun]

Great info! Thanks! I think these should be easy to unmount because to they are so young. Probably barely rooted in. Leafmite, I have done that with my new Oncidium but, I think I'd do better potted.

I never seem to get my mounts wet enough.I've taken to soaking them. They grow and bloom but not nearly as well as potted and sometimes I get busy and forget.🤤

[estación seca]

I'm done with mounts until I set up an automatic spraying system. Before that I need to vanquish the rat horde.

[WaterWitchin]

As mentioned before, I'm a slash and burn kinda gal. I to similar to Subrosa and Leafmite. Soak the heck out of it, get as much attached root off of mount as I can without losing patience, then snip off ones I can't get out. Depending on what the mount is, I can sometimes get an exacto knife under the root and sort of filet off the root with a small slice of mount still attached.

I usually let it sit for two or three days prior to repotting, misting roots at least daily, so the torn or damaged part sort of scabs over. Similar to moving in or out of S/H, recovery time is better if it's putting out a new root or so.

---------- Post added at 08:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:54 AM ----------

Originally Posted by estación seca

I'm done with mounts until I set up an automatic spraying system. Before that I need to vanquish the rat horde.

And I LOVE the look of mounted plants. Used to have at least twenty or so mounted... big ones, not little ones. I could not STAND the extra amount of care it took to get blooms and keep a healthy plant going. Nothing I had ever did as well as other methods... for me and my care habits.

Two years ago I bought an auto misting/water system with R/O water. It wasn't enough for my type of care. Supposed to be a fun hobby. This year I'm finishing taking EVERYTHING off mounts, other than Tolumnia and a couple of ramble everywheres that won't stay put.

Love mounts... in someone else's care. I will admire from afar.

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[Leafmite]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I'm done with mounts until I set up an automatic spraying system. Before that I need to vanquish the rat horde.

I have put all the remaining mounted orchids in my terrarium. I just could not keep the roots happy in the home otherwise but, now, wow, what a difference!

[Dollythehun]

I just did the deed. It was not rooted to the mount. I cut the line, gently pulled off the moss and put it in clay and small bark. Now to find room...

[Leafmite]

I had to quit buying orchids as even my terrarium is full. :|