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?

[rangiku]

My thoughts? Really cool, Ryan. How large a Phal do you think you can do this with? Maybe this would work well with Aerangis luteoalba v. rhodosticta, not that I have one. Yet.

Is that fishing line used to fasten the orchid and moss to the rock?

[PitcherASAMD]

Very cool idea! Where did you get the volcanic rock? I live in upstate new york and we have very dry conditions in the winter. SO I am battling that with my newly transplanted orchids. This could work with some of my guys....Keep us posted....

Katie

[Pilot]

Originally Posted by rangiku

My thoughts? Really cool, Ryan. How large a Phal do you think you can do this with? Maybe this would work well with Aerangis luteoalba v. rhodosticta, not that I have one. Yet.

Is that fishing line used to fasten the orchid and moss to the rock?

I don't know-- its uncharted territory for me, too! However, I've taken the liberty of acquiring even more lava rock, but it'll have to built/fastened together some way. I have some ideas but will save them for now in case they don't pan out. LOL But honestly, if you can add to a rock, I imagine you can have a large plant on a sizable piece/fasten pieces of rock. It is amazing how FAST the water gets absorbed. I can water this plant and no 60 seconds will go by before the entire rock is infused with it.

I do foresee one issue, though... fertilizer crystals and thus the chance of fertilizer burn. But occasional flushing of the whole set up will likely help with that.

Very cool idea! Where did you get the volcanic rock? I live in upstate new york and we have very dry conditions in the winter. SO I am battling that with my newly transplanted orchids. This could work with some of my guys....Keep us posted....

I totally get battling dry air. Why just today we got our first "fire danger" warning from the National Weather Service-- strong winds and humidity below 10% today-- no good on the sinuses!!

As I mentioned, the rock came from another plant-- it was a novelty where some grower took a plant, drilled a hole into the rock and stuck a plant in it and said all you'd have to do is water the rock and it'll grow fine. I'm sure it would have but I couldn't be bothered with the plant. So I wrenched it out of the hole it was in, soaked the stone in clean water to release as much gunk as possible and even scrubbed a bit of debris off where I noticed it.

The volcanic surface seems to be enjoyed by the new roots-- they are clinging to the rock pretty well!

[camille1585]

That's awesome! Looks like a less sophisticated version of the swampstick. But it looks much more natural than one of those sticks.

Now to find myself a decent sized chunk of lava rock....

[Pilot]

Originally Posted by camille1585

That's awesome! Looks like a less sophisticated version of the swampstick. But it looks much more natural than one of those sticks.

Now to find myself a decent sized chunk of lava rock....

I haven't the slightest idea of what a swap stick is, but I have got to find out. LOL

You know me... I'm in a constant state of experimenting with new methods of growing. I am determined yet to beat my mile high and dry environment with these plants. S/h has done it for me for sure, but I want something interesting to look at, too.

People think I grow marijuana in my solarium. Apparently (marijuana is medicinally legal in Colorado), people grow their weed in hydroton! LOL Once, when in the hydroponic store, there was a heated discussion on growing methods of weed-- then they turned to me as if I were a tie-breaker and when I told them of the semi-hydro method and that I've had amazing results, I had a captive audience! They were decidedly let-down when I revealed to them that I did not grow weed, rather, orchids. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Vanda lover]

Great idea! It might work for something picky, like dendrobium cuthbersonii. I've seen lava rock for sale at garden centres in the spring, to be used as mulch, but I doubt that the pieces would be large enough.

[Pilot]

Originally Posted by Vanda lover

Great idea! It might work for something picky, like dendrobium cuthbersonii. I've seen lava rock for sale at garden centres in the spring, to be used as mulch, but I doubt that the pieces would be large enough.

Try looking for rock that is used for grilling-- as in grilling food. They are larger in size and so long as the rocks touch one another, they will wick water. If you use a water proof adhesive, make sure when you put the rocks together, the adhesive isn't cutting off that wicking, other wise it will not work.

Anyway, i bought a bag of grilling-type lava rock and have given it a try-- it does work and may even be better than one solid rock as you have multiple nooks and crannies for the plants' roots to use and secure themselves.

all of this is still in the experimental stage, of course. Results may vary!!! lol

[Vanda lover]

Originally Posted by Pilot

Try looking for rock that is used for grilling-- as in grilling food. They are larger in size and so long as the rocks touch one another, they will wick water. If you use a water proof adhesive, make sure when you put the rocks together, the adhesive isn't cutting off that wicking, other wise it will not work.

Anyway, i bought a bag of grilling-type lava rock and have given it a try-- it does work and may even be better than one solid rock as you have multiple nooks and crannies for the plants' roots to use and secure themselves.

all of this is still in the experimental stage, of course. Results may vary!!! lol

I don't know why I didn't think of that! I guess a little dab of my aquarium silicone would work.
I read a different thread where someone was ususing the same idea with a piece of terra cotta.

[quiltergal]

Check out aquarium stores. They often sell larger pieces of lava rock as "decor" for the tank. I had a couple of big pieces in my salt water tank when I was still doing fish. Hmmm.....now that I'm thinking about it I wonder if coral would make a good mount. It's rather abrasive like lava so would give roots something to grab on to, but I'm not sure how porous it is. Something else to keep in mind is there are lots of different kinds of lava rock, and they all don't have the same properties.