Unusual potting

[condo]

Hello I am very new to the orchid world but I like


I hope I am inclosing a picture of a piece of "swamp drift" that I have. I have learned that orchids grow in trees an rocks not terracotta pots that are so often found in the wild.

I was wondering if I could get an orchid To grow on This

If so do I need to soak it or clean it in any way

[bil]

You can mount an orchid on almost anything. As long as it isn't saturated with salt or toxic chemicals, it should be fine.

[Pattywack]

This would be a gorgeous mount covered in miniatures! As Bil stated, be sure it is clean of any nasty chemicals or salt. I hope you will post pictures when you have it planted, good luck.

[PaphMadMan]

Also, make sure it is structurally sound before proceeding, not about to succumb to dry rot.

[condo]

the piece is solid no decay or rot , but it came from the swamp under water for years . is there anything I could soak it in to try an kill any bactiea or other nastys in the wood?

[condo]

what kind of Miniture should I look to put on it?
I was thinking of getting some flasked seedlings. Not realy sure which way to go.

[jkofferdahl]

Originally Posted by condo

the piece is solid no decay or rot , but it came from the swamp under water for years . is there anything I could soak it in to try an kill any bactiea or other nastys in the wood?

If the driftwood didn't come from salt water you are ahead of the game already. I usually soak sticks I use for mounting but that's not practical with such a large piece of wood. Plus, the chances of anything harmful still being in it are quite small. I think you'd be OK to just start mounting.

It looks like you could fit several plants on the piece. Phals love to be mounted and would do quite well. There are also true miniature Phals (braceana, thailandica, chibae, cochlearis, fimbriata, hainanensis, etc.) which also grow quite happily when mounted, and are small enough that you could really populate your log with them.

The one concern I'd address, though, is the level of humidity where this mount will sit. Mounted orchids are much closer to how they grow in nature but they're also much closer to bare root than are potted plants. If you can't keep the humidity above at LEAST 50% (I personally shoot for 60-65%) then you're going to be doing a lot of watering to keep up with the plants' needs, and you may still see the effect of lower humidity on the roots.

[condo]

unfortunately it did come from Brackish mostly salt water. I live in south lousiana the humidity here is normaly kind high right now its 50%.

I was going to soak the piece in a large drum I have with30 gals fresh water and a cuple bottles of hydrogen proxide. < that work?

PS do you have any idea if or where I can get some mini phal seedlings? I have acess to tons of pieces of wood even nicer than that

[Pattywack]

Take a look at Louisiana Orchid Connection, they have a lot of Phals and miniatures as well. They are a wonderful vendor with excellent plants, very helpful if you have questions.

Trying to remove salt residue might be tricky, I would think it may need several flushings. Maybe soak it and let it dry and re soak several times? Hopefully someone here will have other suggestions. It really is a nice mount!

[jkofferdahl]

Originally Posted by Pattywack

Take a look at Louisiana Orchid Connection, they have a lot of Phals and miniatures as well. They are a wonderful vendor with excellent plants, very helpful if you have questions.

Trying to remove salt residue might be tricky, I would think it may need several flushings. Maybe soak it and let it dry and re soak several times? Hopefully someone here will have other suggestions. It really is a nice mount!

I'd be really careful about using a log that's been in brackish water. Removing all of the salt is going to be difficult.

LOC is an awesome source. Andy's also carries some of the true miniatures. I'd say my mini-Phal collection is about 50-50 between them.