the wood I want to use
 

Ok this is a piece I'v had for about 20 years and have decided it needs to be used as a mount now instead of a paperweight ....what do you guys think?


It is clear coated with polyethelyene but I would think it is safe to use.It has been so long the clear coat is wearing thin in spots.

what do you think would be good to mount upon it?

I love that piece of wood!!! I don't know if the polyethelyene will be a problem with the plant, but the roots are going to need to attach to the wood. Will they be able to with the coating? Can it be sanded off?
There are so many minitures that would look awesome on that "paperweight".
Joann

John, you don't want to experiment with any of your beautiful plants! Send the wood to me and I'll experiment. LOL

No, I don't think the poly finish would harm a plants roots.

AL

Don't you really mean polyurethane? I am not aware of polyethylene being available in a "paintable" form.

The idea of using a piece of coated wood as a mount seems "iffy" to me.

yes I do Ray ...LOL sorry, and I am kind of in the it is iffy mode myself .....Thats why I am asking here.

But the back side of this piece has not been treated and is natural.It even has a nice cupped shape on the reverse side.I could mount on that side and it would still make a nice display sitting on a table or even hanging.

I will attach some small chain to suspend it and take a pic to see what everyone thinks of it that way.

That's a nice piece :nod:

If I were going to mount a chid to it, I would probably at least give it a good brushing with a wire brush and rinse it.

I don't think there'd be a problem...but remember that it's an experiment and things can go wrong.

:goodluck:

I would be more concerned with the piece then the plant if the finish is removed or water penetrates the untreated wood .
It is a beauty would hate to see it damaged ..

I think polyurethane is pretty inert once it's dried. The fumes are toxic, but they should have dissipated after 20 hours, let alone 20 years. I'd give it a try- I might not use my most favorite of all plants.
Just my :twocents:

I wouldn't feel good about the polyurethane. Any chance you could sandblast it to remove the stuff?

Indded I could as I have a friend that does such work ,BUt I just dont think the wood will survive without some sealant.Hmmm I wonder if I could use bees wax to polish it if I did sandblast it to regain the seal and color.

the deed is done now for the waiting.....


Oh and by the way I drilled a hole to run a screw through to attach it to the post and LOl its a pine burl...can still smell the pine.

Lol several pictures here I could not pic a best one soo they all got loaded

Beutiful job, which plant did you mount?
Joann

It came out great! Also love the fuchsias!

Al

The Cattleya Intermedia....The friend that sent the chids specificaly said to mount this one on a label attached to it LOL.

who cant like a nice fuchsia Just hope I can keep it blooming this well I have only had it a week or so lol.

I really like it mounted too got lucky and had a knobby spot for those long roots to be wound around too.Now if I can just adjust to its needs as a mount.I have been reading up on Intermedias since the box arrived yesterday and thye are supposed to be very easy but we all know how that works sometimes easy is if your someone else ...Phals are my truly EASY chids but I do good with catts in hydroton so far also.

I think a mount will be a test of my skill perhaps,but if it does well I will be hooked on mounts next.

When it blooms, you'll have a gorgeous display. Don't forget to post pictures:rofl:
Joann

Thanks Lorraine.

watering every day is no problem for me.As for wire brushing it I decided it wont need it since years and years ago when it was gave to me I did clear coat it but not totaly in every spot and it has several raw spots around the knobby spots and undersides.

It is also a pine burl and should be kind of resinous and last quite a while I think.

I also have it in a bright spot but it will only get direct sun for a hour or so right now in early morning.I will from what I have read so far have to move it to more light later,but I will wait untill I see new growth of roots or a new lead before I do.

John,

Seriously, I think it's wonderful! What an awesome piece of wood and a great mounting job! i can't wait to see how the plant takes to the wood :)

Katie

Thanks Pitcher , I may have to adjust it some I think its a tad far fronm the wood but I dont want to break it and it still has a bit of room behind the chid ...but I may need a bit of moss behind it when it get hot to hold a little moisture too.

will just wait and see it shoud have a eye behind it that will grow toward the wood and that will take care of it.

Whoot we have the first new root emerging ...LOl its pointing out away from the monut but still a good thing after just ten days in my care to see a new root.Oh yeah I have a eye starting to grow too ....WHOOT WHOOT feeling a little more confident it will be ok.

:cheer::cheer::banana::banana:
Joann

Ok we are way past one new root now WHOOT a new lead a couple inches long now and two nice new roots touching the mount and several secondary roots coming off older roots.

Not the best pictures... But lol ran out of memory on card and did not want to keep it outside too long for the Pictures.

Congrats. They look great , good growing .. Gin

It's lookin' real good!

well looks like it is happy and the finish does not seem to be bothering it one bit.....watered evering morning by simply spraying it with my spray bottle and then if I am passing by it gets it again each time I do.

took the fishing line off and it is now firmly attached and on its own....found a new root under thetop lead where the line had it pulled over so the root was hidden lol I will be mountng more in the future when I find something nice to use ...

It's going to be gorgeous when the blooms come!
Joann

Oh and by the way polyurethane clear coat does not seem to be a problem on the wood ...but I did finish it 20 years ago or maybe a little more.BUT it is still water repellant and the roots are very happy attaching to it with no apparent problems. And Yay today I see a second lead starting ...I may be a little premature saying it is but the eye is emerging and swelling like it will.

Does look like a lead to me as well. Great to see how well it's doing!

thanks ...It is definatly a new eye staring into active growth and I found a couple more that are possibly going to also one is very iffy and one is very promising but not definite

So.... do you love mounts yet?

yes thats a nice piece of walnut burl you have their mister...if its 20 years old it was probably coated with nitro-cellulose, NOT a polymerized urethane coating. When it gets wet the coating will start to peel off so you wont have to worry about it long anyway :)..

Have fun and enjoy yourself is #1...you can't go wrong if it didn't come with directions translated in 4 different languages