This will kill any creepy crawlers on the wood and make sure that there is nothing foreign that will invade your terrarium set up.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'orchideria_com-leader-4','ezslot_16',679,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-orchideria_com-leader-4-0')}; In addition to baking your wood piece, you can spray it thoroughly with Ortho or Physan 2 or any other pesticide, fungicide, insecticide, or other ide that you prefer. 
I submerge the entire mount in a bucket of water every other day, or every third day. are a classic choice for mounting orchids. These same chemicals signal to other plants if its secure to live around them, or not. for plant care products that are sure to keep your plants boasting rich green leaves and big, bountiful blooms year-round. All From there, attach the moss-wrapped root ball to the mount using floral wire, fishing line, U-shaped metal clips, twist ties, or any other non-biodegradable string. Well discuss the best orchids for mounting further a little later in this article, so keep reading! The water this wood absorbs will not evaporate in time for the next dunking and the wood will start to rot or mold. Driftwood is a popular choice for ornamental displays (you'll spot it a lot in hotels, stores, and restaurants), though it does little to enhance the humidity of your orchid so you'll need to be extra on top of that. The moss holds on to a little extra water for the orchid each time you water it in the beginning. Generally, cattleya orchids are considered the best orchids for mounting. If you want more information, click here to go to a specific page on this website where I explain it more in detail. The main thing to consider when deciding whether or not to mount an orchid on a piece of driftwood is the type of wood. Cymbidiums are a great example of an orchid likely to outgrow its mount quickly. Sarcochilus orchids and Phragmipedium orchids also demand consistent moisture that is hard to achieve with mount culture. Once those critters make themselves at home in your terrarium, its hard to keep them back. Yepyou read that correctly. The good news is that its much more difficult to overwater a mounted orchid than a potted orchid. A small amount of sphagnum moss can help hold moisture near your orchids roots as it adjusts to being mounted rather than potted. The secret is to leave them alone.Leave your orchid alone! The orchids Id stay away from mounting on wood logs are Cymbidiums, Ludisia, Oncidium, and Sarcochilus. However, this material can be very costly because tree ferns grow slowly. I designed the guide to double up as a coloring book, just to make it fun. Brassavola orchids also do well on mounts, though they grow quickly and therefore may necessitate frequent remounting, which can be a pain. Using strips of pantyhose, string, or wire, attach the base of the orchid to your mount. To get rid of the excess salt from saltwater driftwood, or any other wood for that matter, youll need to soak it in a bucket of water. The pantyhose or other material will be removed once your orchids roots begin to grasp the mount on their own. Its a precaution and an experiment, so time ill tell if it makes a difference. In general, orchids love sunlight so you should aim for at least 10 hours a day of bright, indirect light. Can you mount on bottle brush tree ?I cut some limbs off the other day and I was wondering if I could use that. Cattleyas, which have a distinct drying out period, prefer to be mounted. 
Its natural to want to mount all the orchid in sight, but not all will do well with mounting. Some wood is extremely porous, which you might think is a great thing (hey, it absorbs water!!) A few good choices are oak, hickory, pecan, redwood, and citrus. I have a humidifier in my home officemy orchid heaven, as I call itbut they still need that extra care. Your email address will not be published. Dense wood will not break down quickly.
Bark has three ways to adapt to that growth, 1) by peeling, 2) coming off in pieces (shredding), or 3) making furrows. Best Wood for Mounting Orchids: What Works and What Doesnt. In addition to what weve already mentioned (rocks, tree fern, driftwood, cork). Lets cover a few factors before you select a wood mount for your orchid. Tree fern retains moisture well, which is especially good for orchids, while also allowing the air to circulate well. Hi, I love in Tucson and we have mesquite. To help your mounted orchid thrive, apply a gentle, diluted fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks once you notice new root growth after mounting. Does that mean you cant use these woods?
You should not grow large orchids on mountsunless the mount is a permanent outdoor structure (like a greenhouse), or even a tree. Each month I send out 2 emails, so you dont have to worry about spam. You need to test and experiment to see what works best for the terrain and environment near you. 
If you are going for this option and adding the mister, then chose an orchid that prefers higher humidity levels. We recommend a cork mount if you are new to mounting orchids, but any of the options mentioned make beautiful mounts. Bark can either shred in flakes or strips, but either way, if the orchids roots have attached to the pieces that shred, then your orchid will fall off eventually. You can add an extra layer of sphagnum moss to the mount to delay the evaporation around the roots, but in all honesty, you will be watering your orchid almost daily. Its important to mention that hardwood and softwood are not determined by the density of the wood, but rather by the growing cycle. Gently remove all potting media from the orchids roots, and snip off any roots the appear dead or rotting. In all cases, this layer will eventually fall off, but the roots will attach themselves to the sphagnum first, before the wood. You can read more about how that works on this page. Lets cover a few factors before you select a wood mount for your orchid. Each of these categories is essential to the overall success of your orchid mount (though appearance probably least so), and you'll want to make sure you consider them each time you go to mount a different orchid, as varietals will all necessitate slightly different mounts. If it seems like you need to fertilize more often, gradually increase the frequency. The roots will attach to that layer which peels. Some people use fishing line because it is less visible, but fishing line can be tricky to manipulate. While mounted orchids require different care than potted orchids and more frequent attention, mounting orchids isnt impossible, even for beginners. Cork is the most popular choice for mounted orchids, followed by wood; different materials have different benefits. The best way to water a mounted orchid is to take it to the sink and run it under water for a few minutes. Will mesquite work as a medium for growing orchids? The bark is rot-resistant; the wood is not. Not all wood is best for being dunked every other day. Next, they come out of the bath, drip dry in the sink, and then go into the freezer for a couple of days. Some trees will hinder orchid growth while others will provide that extra security with nicks and crannies that orchid roots love to attach to.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'orchideria_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_1',629,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-orchideria_com-medrectangle-3-0')}; The best wood for mounting orchids has long bark durability, is hard grain instead of soft, is rot-resistant, does not contain resins or aromatic saps, and isnt smooth to the touch. Instead, you can place tabletop mounts on a flat surface and easily reposition them to adjust if your orchid needs more or less light. Youll need to tie the orchid down a bit more, using hose or twine to firmly secure them until they do. In my opinion, if bacteria can survive an hour in an oven, then it deserves to live. Youve already seen that there are many options for orchid mounts. Peeling bark is useless on a mount.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'orchideria_com-leader-2','ezslot_14',643,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-orchideria_com-leader-2-0')}; Shredding is also a sign to stay away from. Ive been experimenting with non-toxic ways to treat natural wood before colonizing it with orchids.For small batches, I simmer in a covered pt of water for an hour (lid on, so even if bits stick up above the water, they get steamed). Make sure its from a freshwater source and not a saltwater source. I hope this article brought you light to choosing the right wood for your orchid and how to treat it before you mount it. For most orchid types, spring is the best season to mount orchids. A softwood mount will fall apart over time and your orchids will lose their ground.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'orchideria_com-banner-1','ezslot_6',638,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-orchideria_com-banner-1-0')}; Softwood trees include pine, redwood, douglas-fir, cypresses, and larch. Select a healthy orchid to mount. Not all types of orchids should be mounted. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute("id", "a43eb5e8ab85e1c1dcdf436ce550d1b8");document.getElementById("c3e5ea1414").setAttribute("id", "comment"); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If it seems like you need to fertilize more often, gradually increase the frequency. Debra is a member of The Spruce Gardening andPlant Care Review Board. Your orchid needs wood it can grip to keep its roots secure, and the wood must be rot-resistant. This also requires a full terrarium set-up, but well worth the investment.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'orchideria_com-netboard-2','ezslot_22',651,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-orchideria_com-netboard-2-0')}; If you want to be included in a more information and get a 14-page fertilization guide, please sign up for my newsletter. Obs: Choalla wood does tend to rot a little fast, so if you use it, mount it in a low humidity habitat. The benefit to tabletop mounts is that you dont have to find wall space or equipment to hang your mount. To prevent this problem, you need to periodically leach salts from your orchid mount. You can fit a lot more orchids on a wall than you can place on a table or other flat surface. Orchids grown as houseplants need fertilizer to thrive because they dont have access to the same amount of nutrients as they would in their natural environment, but most people tend to go too heavy on fertilizer. Cherry is also a smooth wood that is not suited for mounting. Pack moist sphagnum moss around the orchids roots to reduces transplant shock while the orchid gets established on the mount. Amanda Matthews is a theological professor, author, pastor, and a motivational speaker. Any varietal suitable to mounting that you buy at a traditional nursery or tropical plant store works just fine. Beginners, especially, are encouraged to use cork mounts. Mounting also eliminates the need to. FAQ: Are mounted orchids better than potted orchids?
We cant wait to celebrate your successes and help you troubleshoot your care routine. In our Facebook group of orchid lovers, were dedicated to creating a rich and engaging environment where plant lovers can come together and share tips, tricks, and experiences.