Cement based orchid growing plaque

[Jerry]

Has anyone seen a cement based product that will support the healthy growth of orchid roots?

I have been working for years to perfect a cement based product that is porous, lightweight, strong and alkali free and can be hand shaped or packed into molds.
I have been growing Cats and Brassavolas on these for 8years and they are strong and healthy plants.
I made a Aztec King mold that I used to make hanging wall plaques and the orchids just love growing on these.
I am thinking of selling either the plaques or just the raw material, I have included a photo of the Aztec King plaque.
I would appreciate any comments, advice or ideas about selling these or the raw material.
Jerry

[dounoharm]

there is a mix of cement, vermiculite, perlite, and peat that can be shaped to any form and used for planters....i dont know if it can be used for orchid growing....

[britbloke]

If you can consistently get (at least some) orchids to grow on cement based plaques I think the idea is wonderful.
Mounts are much more natural in appearance and being able to shape those mounts to whatever each of us prefers in our own growing areas is enticing...

[dabblin-n-orchids]

the mixture i think you are referring to is called hypertufa.
this is one of the first articles i found on google: Make Your Own Hypertufa Container - Fine Gardening Article
i would love to know if orchids could grow on this stuff. i feel an experiment coming on

[pedidiva]

Somehing like this is used at out Botanical garden Cnservatory. It is a type of cement mixture with other things mixed in. It is a product that can be purchased. It's the Amarillo Botanical Gardens--they could let you know what was used. Texas.

[pedidiva]

Oooo, that hypertufa is so cool. What a great idea.

[Paul Mc]

OMG, that is so cool! Wish I had some of those! I love the Aztec touch too. If only I was creative enough to make hindu, japanese, chinese and/or buddhist scultures with it.

[tucker85]

I think it's a great idea. Here in Florida I've seen orchids growing on cement blocks and pieces of stone. One grower near me turns clay pots upside down and grows orchids attached to the bottom of the pot. What I like about your material is that it looks nice and porous. The green algea on it shows that it retains a little moisture and fertilizer. I think that is a good thing. I love the design also. I think if you had several orchids growing on those kinds of mounts they might sell very well at orchid shows. You could also sell the mounts by themselves when people could see the results you've had. Good luck, great idea!

[peeweelovesbooks]

Wasn't it you who posted these a couple of years back?

I would definitely buy something decorative like that if the orchids could grow on it. I find that generally we tend to focus only on the aesthetics of the plant, as opposed to presenting it in a pleasing form.

I'm always looking for something pretty and I think your mounts look great.

You should definitely try to sell them.

[Vanda lover]

I've often wondered if hypertufa could be used to make orchid pots. Those should sell well! I've also wondered if it could be used to make a miniature waterfall for an orchidarium.