How do I mount a Phal Keiki?

[Phal-gal]

I have a Phal Noid with 5 keikis on it. I would like to give a go at mounting at least one of them, which I have never done before. I bought some Sphagnum Peat Moss at the store, but it is powdery! so I think I bought the wrong kind. As you can tell, I am a newbie and need HELP!!

Also, I thought I would try mounting it on a piece of the thick brown end of a palm frond that has been cut down to size. Will this work? Has anyone used this before?

Thanks,

Judy

[cb977]

Hi Judy, you need to get regular sphagnum moss, preferably the long-fibered type but that's not usually available in local stores

Do your keikis have roots that are at lest 2-3 inches long? Don't remove them unless the roots are that size.

Mounting is a cinch...and I have a friend who uses those palm fronds to mount all the time They look great and the plants seem happy.

[Phal-gal]

Thanks, cb977! Yes, my keikis have good, healthy long roots and are ready to leave their mother! I am just not quite sure how to do the mounting. Do you wire the moss to the wood? I am completely ignorant here, sorry!

Judy

[cb977]

Don't be sorry! You're here to learn

Take a look through this thread...
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ting-info.html

If you have any questions, let us know.

Mounting is really very easy to do and is not something to be nervous about

[justatypn]

Judy, it's pretty simple and you will be amazed after your get your first one behind you. I like to soak the bare mount in one bowl and the sphag in another with a root stimulant. Place 1/3 of the sphag on the mount. Gently place the keiki on top of the sphag, holding gently take fishing line (which is my choice) and wrap around the mount to support the orchid as well as keeping the sphag in place. I remember doing my first, it's like having two left hands. Hope this helps.

Thanks Sue for the thread, I knew I had read about it here somewhere...: your the best...

[Ray]

Personally, I think favor putting the sphagnum on top of the roots, not under them, so they will more immediately attach to the mount.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I grow all my Phals mounted. I use long fibered sphagnum moss. I like to soak the moss first. Rinse it off thoroughly until the sour smell is almost gone. Place just enough moss to cover the top of the mount and place roots on top of moss. Then I sparsely place moss on top of the roots, but leave most of the roots exposed to the air.

I tie the plant onto the moss with clear fishing line (has a nicer presentation than the twistable wire).

"Soft leaf" Phals like Phalaenopsis javanica and Phalaenopsis appendiculata I grow on tree fern fiber. "Hard leaf" Phals like Phalanopsis x leucorrhoda I grow on cork bark.

Make sure the humidity is roughly 50% to 70%.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

You can also boil the sphagnum moss to get rid of that sour smell too. Sterilizes the moss at the same time. Make sure it cools off before putting the plant on.

[Phal-gal]

Wow, thanks for all the tips!! You are all so helpful and kind!

Is the only place to get the correct kind of sphagnum moss online? I was hoping to find someplace local in San Diego County. Maybe I will check with one of the orchid greenhouses and see if they might be willing to sell me a little bit.

I am also attaching a couple photos. As you can hopefully see in the 2nd photo, two of the keikis share the same stem portion, that is why I was wondering if mounting these would be the easiest way to handle these two?


Thanks,

Judy