Charred wood mounts-good or bad for orchids?

[SG in CR]

In my experience fresh charcoal can burn or irritate new root tips. Once a bio-film develops over it everything seems fine. I imagine if you spray these down with some dilute fertilizer and molasses and leave them out in the weather for a bit that bio film should develop quickly.
One thing that might be a concern is if the wood is very resinous. I've found some orchids are kind of sensitive to that.

[Russell 99]

Originally Posted by SG in CR

In my experience fresh charcoal can burn or irritate new root tips. Once a bio-film develops over it everything seems fine. I imagine if you spray these down with some dilute fertilizer and molasses and leave them out in the weather for a bit that bio film should develop quickly.
One thing that might be a concern is if the wood is very resinous. I've found some orchids are kind of sensitive to that.

Thanks, I'll use a different type of mount for now. It wasn't resinous at all, completely dry and it doesn't give off any off smell.