Mounting Orchids On Balsa Wood? - Orchid Board

OrionJW · #1 (**permalink**) 02-09-2009, 04:12 AM

I'm interested in learning/starting to mount orchids. I was wondering if Balsa wood is acceptable for this? Its light weight and easy to hang, plus theres the added bonus of getting to shape it yourself into whatever form you would like. I can't say that I've seen any info for or against using it for mounting. Does anyone have any thoughts or advice about using balsa wood or mounting in general?

beanluc · #2 (**permalink**) 02-09-2009, 06:15 AM

Hi, I'm also doing my first self mounts right now. I'm using driftwood.

Balsa would work fine, I'm sure, but I wonder if it would break down (rot) in a year or two, because it's so porous?

OrionJW · #3 (**permalink**) 02-09-2009, 02:07 PM

I hadn't thought about that actually... good point...thanx

boytjie · #4 (**permalink**) 02-09-2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beanluc

Hi, I'm also doing my first self mounts right now. I'm using driftwood.

Balsa would work fine, I'm sure, but I wonder if it would break down (rot) in a year or two, because it's so porous?

I'd be worried about the balsa getting brittle once the roots start finding their way inside the pores of the wood. Seems to me it could split apart, especially if you're mounting Catts or other 'chids with thick, strong roots. With cork or harder wood, you don't really have that problem. My

OrionJW · #5 (**permalink**) 02-09-2009, 04:06 PM

another good point... than you

OrionJW · #6 (**permalink**) 02-09-2009, 04:06 PM

er... thank you lol

cabbo · #7 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beanluc

Hi, I'm also doing my first self mounts right now. I'm using driftwood.

Balsa would work fine, I'm sure, but I wonder if it would break down (rot) in a year or two, because it's so porous?

Are you using driftwood from the ocean? I want to try it too. How are you preparing the wood. I was just going to give a good soak, like a week or so, changing the water daily to remove the salt.

beanluc · #8 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009, 11:57 PM

I filled a sink with hot water and bleach. After I gloved up, I rinsed the sand off, used a wire brush to remove some other funk, and then just rinsed the wood well again in fresh water. The surface should be free from any salt after that. After waiting a day for it to dry a little and for any remaining bleach to evaporate, I mounted up! If there's any salt soaked deeply into the wood, I didn't worry about it. Maybe the joke's on me. Couldn't hurt to do it your way.

OrionJW · #9 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009, 02:37 AM

well... since I live in land locked colorado drift wood from the ocean is exceptionally hard to come by , chuckle... anyways I found some other wood to try and use... I already mounted a phaleanopsis that I had and some other kind of orchid I have yet to identify, it seems hardy and quick growing so it seemed like an appropriate choice...

cabbo · #10 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beanluc

I filled a sink with hot water and bleach. After I gloved up, I rinsed the sand off, used a wire brush to remove some other funk, and then just rinsed the wood well again in fresh water. The surface should be free from any salt after that. After waiting a day for it to dry a little and for any remaining bleach to evaporate, I mounted up! If there's any salt soaked deeply into the wood, I didn't worry about it. Maybe the joke's on me. Couldn't hurt to do it your way.

I didn't think of using bleach, probably a good idea.