My unique molded mount

[Ray]

Not that I’m aware of...

Looks like a hypertufa variant. Getting it to be acidic is a real trick, since the binder is cement.

[WaterWitchin]

Well, it is a very old and stale thread. But since it was brought up... I agree totally with Ray. Definitely a hypertufa mix of some sort. Quelling the actions of cement would be most difficult. I tried several variant mixes of hypertufa for water plants back in the store prior to retirement. Over time, was no bueno. Obviously this guy had orchids growing in it. But unless I missed it, didn't see any that had been mounted in/on it that looked like they'd been growing that way for a prolonged period of time.

[DirtyCoconuts]

the first page shows that there is clearly SOME growth onto the mount but i agree they did not appear to be years of growth.

his claim was predicated on the fact that he was able to remove the harmful element so.....

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

the first page shows that there is clearly SOME growth onto the mount but i agree they did not appear to be years of growth.

his claim was predicated on the fact that he was able to remove the harmful element so.....

He used to sell these in classifieds for years. Not since 2011. They've even taken the "low alkaline cement" language off the concrete industry's table for 2020. If he found a way to "remove" the high alkalinity from portland he should patent it. Perhaps he coated mounts with something? There's a newer substitute for portland cement that's made of fly ash... A mystery unless Jerry shows up and wants to share his recipe.

[Ray]

Cement is a calcium aluminosilicate. It will ALWAYS be of basic pH.

[DirtyCoconuts]

I’m not sure how this applies but I have orchids mounted on cement statues and cement roof tiles. Both quite happy.

Now they are quite heavy and so that is different but I have never had issues with orchids and cement.