Question: If cedar is that good, then would it not be a good idea to put a few cedar shavings in the pot with all plants?
Not enough to change its water holding abilities, just a small amount, 10% maybe.

Could be a good idea. I'll give it a try.

I like this idea also! Since I've be experimenting on my orchids for over forty yrs.....why not try another experiment? What the heck, it might even keep spider mites away, too...BettyE.

And mounts don't always need to be made of wood. Two examples. Both work very well too. The first is just the old rizome wrapped in spagnum moss with thin phone wire (it's all I had on hand), and the second is made of hardware cloth (1/4 inch wire from home depot wrapped into a tube with spagnum stuffed down inside) with the catts wired to it. It stays wet for a couple days keeping moisture around the rizomes. Eventually I will have a couple dozen orchids growing on it. My plan is to have flowers for most of the year in bloom on it at any given time. Well that's the plan anyway. I'll post as it happens.

Hi. I was thinking about the guava tree, it's very hard. My neigthbour has a tree and the branches come to my yard, but I asked him and he said I have to wait, but I want to try it.Here in Miami I found a place that sells tree fern fiber, not bad, all sizes, check "my new mount" I got it there. norma

Norma, I, personally use cedar whenever I mount an orchid now. Mainly because it discourages insects. Another reason, is that the smooth cut cedar plaques are easy to remove a division from. Not so, with pretty, but rough bark wood surfaces. Just my opinion...BettyE

Has any one tried Eucalyptus?