How to prepare orchids for planting in orchidarium

[Vanda_lover]

Hi there,

I wanna try to create my own orchidarium. I know ( well I hope ) things about light , air contitions etc etc but dont know how to prepare orchids to mount in orchidarium. I mean when You buy , u get them mounted already or in pot . Of course I dont wanna just put pots inside , wanna nicely plant them in a special substrate. So I guess I get rid of all the old one , clean roots?? ( if yes how, with what ) . How about mounted already orchids? I will have my own "wall" and I dont wanna just hang them , I wanna attach them direct to the wall . Is there any special way to do this not to harm them and make them grow? Ah and if You have any sugestions for species ( mini orchids ) that are best for orchidariums - please share. I attach some photos to explain You what exactly I mean . You see tank ready to plant , and after planting . btw I am doing Orchidarium not Palladium so will be no water in my tamk . Thank You so much for Your help

[Ray]

I think you're on the right track about the potted plants, and will have to face the fact that you're going to dome damage removing plants from old mounts. Here's how I approach it:

1) Make sure the plat is actively growing new roots. That's essential. I water new acquisitions with KelpMax solution several times in a row a few weeks before transplanting to induce that.

2) Mounted plants are treated the same way, then soaked for several hours prior to removing them from the old mounts, so their roots are a supple as they're going to be.

3) When remounting the plants, it is important to anchor them in a way that prevents all movement of the roots, so they will be stable, and able to "grab hold" quickly. I typically use a cork background, so use long strands of sphagnum or coconut hulk fiber OVER the roots (never under), and staple them to the cork. Once the plant is established, out come the staples.

[Vanda_lover]

Thank You for reply. Is it enought to use KelpMax solution once a month as recomended?

[Pattywack]

Some orchids that are mounted can be integrated into your background without removing them from their mount. Some have fairly thin wood planks that when covered in growing moss, you will never see the mount. Others mounted on cork or sticks naturally "fit" into an area. If mounted on fern bark, you may be able to carefully break away any unwanted part of the mount. Just an idea. Or you can find them to buy bare root.

[Vanda_lover]

Thank You for ideas

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Vanda_lover

Thank You for reply. Is it enought to use KelpMax solution once a month as recomended?

Certainly, but if you've got a plant you want to get established quickly, 2 or 3 treatments in a row is better, then go to no more often than once a month.

[estación seca]

And don't worry about perfection of appearance right away. Moss will grow and cover everything, and you won't notice that you turned that one stick 15 degrees from exactly where you wanted it.