Aw, my husband is enabling my orchid obsession!

[bil]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Practical me. I was wondering how you cut it, disinfected it etc. I have some birch but it would need treatment 1st. I thought about tree fern but it is messy.

They say you shouldn't use wood from a stoned tree like plum or peach. It is suggested that orchids don't do so well on them, but I know of no hard evidence.

I don't bother to boil or treat the wood. I simply cut it and use it. Are you likely to bring in a problem? I doubt it.

Here's a sequence on how to put a hook on a mount so it doesn't split a thin branch or come loose. Whe squeezing the short end into the branch go easy and use a bit of cloth as protection or you'll strip the bark.

If you have any further questions, feel free.

I hope you admire the squalor and clutter I work in.

[Dollythehun]

And the bark does what?

[Salixx]

Just a side note, birch tends to rot very quickly and crumbles in short order.

As beautiful as birch is, I've avoided it as mounting material for that reason.

[Dollythehun]

Salixx, I thought so! Bil, that looks like honey's shop. I would have never been that through. Thank you. I might just try that.

[bil]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

And the bark does what?

It looks nice an natural on a mount.

---------- Post added at 06:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:23 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Salixx, I thought so! Bil, that looks like honey's shop. I would have never been that through. Thank you. I might just try that.

Well, I started out with the method William Cullen? uses which is great for thick stuff, but on thinner branches it's a no no.
This in and out method works really well.

Basically, you thread the log end thru, pull it if it sticks, then use the short end to mark the wood. Drill a hole on the mark and use the grips to squeeze the short end into the hole. Don't squeeze it in 100%. If you leave a slight gap, it's a great place to tie the label.