Mounting on a tree fern pole

[clusty]

Hello,

Here is my dilema: I wanted to try mounting an orchid, but am a bit uneasy knowing that they would have to be watered at least every 2 days (vacations, etc).

I thought that I could maybe put one end of the pole in a pot that has plenty of water and hopefully it would wick away it's moisture through capillary action.

This way my beasties get water as long as the pot has any left in it.

Think this could possible work or it is just wishful thinking?

[cbuchman]

I have essentially this. The bigger issue can be getting too much water! SO be sure to experiment while you're home.

[clusty]

Thanks for the confirmation.

I was thinking to start with some bulbos and maybe a brassavolas as they seemed to be more forgiving.

[tucker85]

It's interesting that Carrie is doing this. I'd love to see some pictures. I've never seen anyone growing that way. I like mini-catts and encyclias for mounting. I also have an oncidium that is doing well on a tree fern mount. Any orchid that has decent size pseudobulbs can handle dry conditions for a little while, once they're established some good roots.

[Bud]

the danger about this method is algae formation and it might be a good haven for bacteria and fungi, since the water will be stagnant for a while....it is best to water or spray then flush the mix and roots for debris added with good air circulation.

try S/H method, maybe it will work for you and your plants

[clusty]

Originally Posted by Bud

the danger about this method is algae formation and it might be a good haven for bacteria and fungi, since the water will be stagnant for a while....it is best to water or spray then flush the mix and roots for debris added with good air circulation.

try S/H method, maybe it will work for you and your plants

Not sure I know what you mean by the "S/H method"

[cbuchman]

I will clarify, I only do this while I am away for more than a few days. It isn't permanent set-up.

[tucker85]

Originally Posted by cbuchman

I will clarify, I only do this while I am away for more than a few days. It isn't permanent set-up.

I can see where mounted phals might benefit from that method. They really need water almost every day. But my cattleyas, encyclias and oncidiums that are well established on mounts can last several days, maybe even a week, without water if they've been well hydrated for a few days before leaving them.

[james mickelso]

The catts I have mounted on bark or foam with a spag moss covering go a week or more winter and week summer with no watering when I am too busy. Catts/laelias can go for awhile dry with little problems as long as they are otherwise well cares for. I'll see if I have pics. And I'll throw in a mount I have been experimenting with but sold last year. It was pretty successful while I had it. I'll make another one and show it later. The first pic is what it looked like when first made. Just 1/4 inch hardware cloth wrapped into a cylinder with spagnum packed into it. Stays wet inside but just damp outside and the orchids are wired onto it. They really took off and I didn't have to water but every week to 10 days. The others here are just thrown together. The C. Intermedia has been here for quite a long time. It started as a piece of foam the bottom of which you can see. Winter gets water every week or so because of the cold. But it survives well down to low 30's. These are all rescues. The little one was a nearly dead three BB that has grown and is putting out a new growth. There was nothing but three dead BB last year. Some of you might remember it. Anyway Just for your perusal. Have a great orchid day.

[james mickelso]

As for your desire to mount onto a tree fern post, I think it would be a good experiment. The fiber should absorb the water, wick it up to the top, and help keep your orchids hydrated. but I think you would not want to keep it wet all the time as it would just rot the tree fern post after awhile. And because of the wicking you would want to use distilled water because the alternating wet/dry cycles would precipitate the salts out of the water onto the fibers quickly. But using it to help keep the orchids hydrated once in a while when you are gone for a week would work. I would go so far as to put it into a larger pot filled with gravel or hydroton pebbles. I just might try that myself come to think of it. I could put it into my living room and have some rescue phals in the house all the time. Hmmm. Thanks for the idea.