“EXTENDED MOISTURE” MOUNTING
Epiphytes, for the most part, live attached to trees and shrubs, or with their roots in the moss growing on the surf of-, or in crevices between rocks. Many will tell you that mounting is “the best way” to grow plants, but I can tell you from personal experience that unless your growing conditions favor that method – high humidity and frequent watering – doing so can be an issue.
Why? Because mounts tend to dry out really fast. Even if you put a pad of moss over the roots, it will eventually break down and crumble away. Well… here’s a way to extend the time the mount stays moist – lightweight expanded clay aggregate – LECA!
What??? How can you use “marbles” on a mount? Easy – by gluing the pellets to it!
In this case, I use a cedar slab (sold for grilling salmon), smeared some fast-set epoxy on the surface, then poured some dry LECA onto it. It is important to use “fast-set” epoxy (I used 5-minute stuff) so that the liquid does not soak into the pellets, which would preclude absorption.
The LECA provides great texture for roots to hold onto, and will hold water for a lot longer period of time than will a plain slab.
"Extended Moisture" Mounting
Threaded Mode
