Gastrochilus japonicus (Project 12 - Spring 2011)

[Paul Mc]

Quick question a bit off of the current topic.

I bought mine from a vendor that many people here have stated they don't like the way they mount their orchids. When I got the mount, I felt like the sphag was packed way too tightly around it and it's been hard to determine if it's dry inside or not (actually, impossible).

I would like to remount it this weekend, but I'm terrified to because it has a flower spike coming along. I'm also terrified of not remounting it as the sphag is packed so tightly and I don't know what that's doing to the roots that are underneath it.

Any thoughts or comments on what you think I should do, or do you know if this would cause the spike to blast?

[Jennyfleur]

I'm probably the least qualified to comment on this but is it possible to tweezer out some of the sphag? That might help loosen it and not disturb the roots so much. Only a thought (by someone who doesn't know about mounts!)

[lund0682]

Hi Paul,

I had the same concerns about mine. I couldn't tell what was going on inside the dense clump of sphagnum moss (I think I got mine from the same vendor as you). I decided to take the plunge and remount the little guy. That was about a week ago and so far the plant seems happy. I've got it mounted to a round of cork bark and I keep it in my kitchen window (so I see it every morning and don't forget about it).

But I don't have any flower spike, so I that wasn't a concern for me. I can understand why you're more reluctant to make any big changes. Another caution against rash-remounting: I remounted my Angraecum didieri at the same time (one of the traveling companions that came along with my Gastro). And now this poor guy is doing even worse. In fact it's slowly and deliberately dying before my eyes . So maybe it's better to not be too hasty about these things. I guess I've always been a little reckless - I never seem to learn.

But I don't mean to imply anything bad about the vendor. Both plants arrived happy and healthy, and poor little A. didieri didn't show signs of trouble until I took over.

[nenella]

Paul, my 1cts worth....I think Jenny's suggestion is a good one. If you think there's too much sphag I too would probably try and take some off. ... otherwise, an other idea ...try putting a mini skewer into the moss to make sure you don't overwater?? at least until it's done blooming.

[keithrs]

Paul- I wouldn't worry about the moss.... It helps keep the humidity up. New roots probably will not grow into the moss anyway.

[shadytrake]

I learned something from a local expert grower, award winner, and learner judge that a lot of orchids like to be firmly mounted because it encourages root growth.

I find that to be true for a lot of mine too. The tighter the pot, the more vigorous the growth. The tighter mount encouraged root growth.

Loose roots don't encourage growth. Just my 2 cents.

[Paul Mc]

Thanks everyone for you thoughts!

I guess I could remove some of the sphag, but it's so dense I don't know how well it will come out in parts.

I got mine from Oak Hill, and I do believe we got it as the same place Lund0682.

Shadytrake, that is an interesting thing to note! While it looks like the original lot of roots was packed under the sphag, all the new roots are completely avoiding going under it and there are quite a few. So, I guess it must be happy then.

I will wait until it's stopped blooming to either remount or put in my terrarium.

[Zoi2]

I think I'm going to have flowers pretty soon!
There are only 3 buds but one is starting to open today.
Joann

[Zoi2]

The little dudes are open!
Joann

[lund0682]

That's fantastic! Do these little guys have any scent that you can detect? I hope I can get mine to give me some blooms eventually. Thanks for the picture.