Lets talk about swamp sticks

[calvin_orchidL]

I've been itching to try this seemingly ingenious and innovative invention for a while, but I won't give in until I see some good photos of plant roots really growing robustly on these things. The website has some, but only preliminary root growth. Does anyone have these, and if so, care to share your experiences and photos?

[peeweelovesbooks]

I tried two phals on the swampsticks. I tried and tried and tried, but it seemed that the water didn't wick through the material--it apparently just evaporated. Keep in mind that I water my mounted plants every day and I religiously kept this thing with water. I was disappointed to say the least. One phal ended up dying and the other one is barely hanging on. They never developed sufficient roots to attach to the swampstick either. I wanted to try it because it seemed very unique. I'm sure others may have a positive experience.

[greenbean]

I haven't tried swamp sticks but like you I'm interested in them. Maybe with a more drought tolerant orchid or a more porous clay they would work better?

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by peeweelovesbooks

I tried two phals on the swampsticks. I tried and tried and tried, but it seemed that the water didn't wick through the material--it apparently just evaporated. Keep in mind that I water my mounted plants every day and I religiously kept this thing with water. I was disappointed to say the least. One phal ended up dying and the other one is barely hanging on. They never developed sufficient roots to attach to the swampstick either. I wanted to try it because it seemed very unique. I'm sure others may have a positive experience.

I'm not sure, since I don't have swampsticks, so what I'm writing is just my but maybe the phals were just too big for the amount of water the tube leaches? Most pics I've seen of swampsticks have miniature orchids on them, that would get more than enough water from the tube. Also, it seems that the tubes are kept in fairly high humidity to limit evaporation.
I would love to try swampstick one day with nice little minis.

[peeweelovesbooks]

Camille,

I tried it with miniature phals. The tubes barely became moist. Hmmmm......It's pretty humid year-round around here, and these aren't really marketed as mounts to be put in a terrarium or some such enclosure. They are really promoted to be mounts for outdoors--at least that's what my take was.

I religiously kept the tubes filled with water--it just wouldn't wick through--except through the bottom of the tubes. I think the phals were kept alive so long because I used to water them in addition to keeping the water reservoir on there.

[harrywitmore]

I had toyed with making these years ago. You would have to have the right clay blend plus it seems to me the botton would have to be glazed on the inside and out. Otherwise the pressure of the water would make it wick out the bottom. Since they have no pictures of mature plants mounted to these things, I have to assume there are none. That would be the picture I would put on my website if I had one.

[calvin_orchidL]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. That's a pity. Seems like they haven't been as successful as they theoretically should be - I'm assuming they are still being optimized. I know the creator of these is active on some forums although perhaps not this one.

I talked to an old ceramics teacher of mine, and he mentioned certain firing techniques to achieve the right porosity, but I forget exactly what he said.

[John D.]

My wife is making some for me (she is a potter) and the comment about clay ,firing and glazing is the key. The bottom (ours have a small tray attached) needs to be glazed outside to keep water from dripping out or damaging something if it is sitting on it instead of hanging. The right combination of glaze and firing is critical, too high a temperature melts the clay particles and then the water does not wick fast enough. I am mounting some small dends, neos and phals, will post photos after they are established and am sure it works well. The orchid mounts are not on her site (won't be until they are proven) but other stuff is. Spoiled Rotten Dog Pottery Welcome to Spoiled Rotten Dog Pottery

[Grandma M]

I love her butterfly pot....Just my luck, it's sold.

Marilyn

[John D.]

Try contacting her, she can make you something that you are interested in. She does not use molds everything is individual.