Cork mounted watering

[Frogwings]

Hello! I am new to growing mounted orchids. I have just purchased some miniature orchids, two of which are mounted on cork bark. I would like some information/advice on how to best water them. From my research on this, it is recommended that they be submerged in water for several hours. Misting everyday is another option. So, I am wondering if I can put the base of the cork bark into a container of water, just deep enough for the bottom of the cork to be submerged and wick water into the cork mount constantly. If the cork stays damp all the time, might this rot the roots? Any thoughts on this would be much appreciated!

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[DeaC]

Hello. For me,cork has never worked. It doesn't have wicking properties so misting is needed or a dunk long enuf to benefit root health. I've soaked plants on cork long enuf to pry them off and repot or mount on treefern or wood,but it does set them back.

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[Frogwings]

Thank you! I have thought about wicking using cotton string or sphagnum moss but I’m afraid it might keep the moss on the roots too wet. Like, sopping wet. I used cotton string on African violets and, after gauging thickness of string needed to supply the right amount of water, that worked well. BUT, maybe wouldn’t work in this instance. I might give it a try when I get up the nerve! Or, experiment with a cork base with no orchid on it. 🤔

[Roberta]

You can mist them (or give a good spraying with water) daily. One problem with dunking... you need a separate container for each. Using the same water for multiple plants can cause a problem (fungal, etc.) from spreading to one to another. Actually, "how often" is also a function of humidity... if high, you may be able to get away with every 2 days. It also depends on the plant - those with pseudobulbs or other reserves don't need it as often (like the Cattleya group) as those that don't (such as Pleurothallids)

The goal for all is to dry out between waterings - the goal for nearly all epiphytic orchids, whether mounted or in a pot. So look at what reserves the plant has - pseudobulbs, succulent leaves, etc. to get an idea of
what it will need.

[Frogwings]

Great input! Wicking is definitely out! Thank you!

[Roberta]

What specific plants? For the smaller Pleurothallids (which definitely don't have a lot of reserves) I put a little extra sphagnum moss over the root area (monofilament fish line works great for this). This helps keep them a bit more moist, for a few more hours, to compensate for the low humidity that they are likely to experience while still giving them the wet-dry experience.

[Frogwings]

Neophanetia falcata and Schoenorchis fragrans. I’m thinking of getting small table top terrariums for these. It would help keep the humidity higher.

[Roberta]

Neofinetia falcata is a really tough plant. So as long as you can keep the watering up, it should be fine. (And once the nights get consistently a little warmer (50 deg F or higher would be fine) , it can go outside - where you can just give it a good bath with the hose. (Those can go a lot colder, if acclimated, but I suspect that it might have been greenhouse-grown and need a little pampering) Schoenorchis fragrans might well benefit from that approach.

Out of curiosity... did those come from Andy's Orchids? Because if they did, particularly the Neo is already used to cool temperatures. (Growers in colder areas have to use greenhouses, which tend to be warmer, even for the relatively cool-growing species. Andy's, being in coastal California, grows a lot of the cool-tolerant orchids in unheated shade houses)

[Frogwings]

I bought them from J&L Orchids in Connecticut. Then they probably are used to some low temps. I have a covered screen porch that is protected on 2 sides. I might put them out there when it is warmer, but the temps get quite high out there. 90s. It will all be an”play it by ear” method! Thank you, Roberta, for your information! I definitely appreciate it!

[Roberta]

I think that the Neofinetia falcata can go outside once night temps get consistently above 50 deg F. The highs will be OK as long as there is shading. (Both of them are fairly low-light plants) But when it's hot, water more. I know a superb grower who lives inland from me, who is very successful with Neof. falcata, with summers that get into triple digits F and humidity is low, so I know they can take it.

The Schoenorchis needs a bit more pampering, I'm not as familiar with its needs.