Volcanic rock experiment

[Pilot]

I got this idea from a post in the Neo forum so it is by no means original! I'll try to post the forum post that refers to the general idea of this experiment soon.

So I was struck with this idea when I saw another forum member mount a neo onto a volcanic rock...it looked wonderful and I had one of those rocks with a weird plant stuck in it that was suffering because 1, i didn't really like the plant and 2, because I didn't like it I never watered it. I know, I should be ashamed as a plant lover but it gave me the material to try out this experiment.

So I had a very small phal Gotris about and decided to mount the plant on it like the other member did with their neo. Here's a photo:



I did this a month ago and today I had another small phal that needed a new growing method and so I dismantled the whole thing to put this second plant onto the same rock. I was pleasantly surprised when I found the original plant seen in the photo was growing new roots and new buds from old roots and they were gripping the rock. The best thing about this method is, all I need to do is fill the saucer up with water and the rock absorbs it all. The moss then absorbs from the rock and so on and I can keep the plant evenly moist. I have noticed that the plant itself is never "wet" as if it were sitting in water. Definitely very moist but never drenched.

My goals number several....

1. Provide a new grow method that is more interesting that s/h but also as easy as s/h.

2. Provide the plant with an even moisture environment instead of wet/dry extremes in my very dry environment afforded by moss only.

3. Up the humidity around the plant and the plants around it.

I'm also attempting to grow moss on the rock now, though we'll see how that goes (green moss not sphag, though I think Irish Moss would look wonderful like this). Even if I fill the saucer to the brim with water, it has been soaked up by the rock and evaporated by nightfall... so it goes quick. But the rock itself stays nicely moist for another day or two.

Your thoughts?