Unique Mounting

[beck]

Originally Posted by Tindomul1of9

Coconut halves with chunky coconut husks right?
Most coconuts I get to see here in NY are bald.

Yep. When they fall off the tree they are bald. Then chain saw in half. (My partner glares at me and then silently goes off to do this shaking his head when I ask him, so I take it this is not all that easy.) Then if there is coconut flesh inside scoop it out and fill with something I use volcanic stones. You then have a flat fiborous surface to mount on. I'll post a photo when I figure out how to post photos, I've never used a discussion board before!!

[Paul]

Although I haven't tried it, I imagine that a hot glue gun would also work as long as the glue was allowed to cool slightly before adding the plant. Would set faster than caulk.

[Tindomul]

Paul I think so too. If I ever try adhesive again I will use your method.

[justatypn]

Randy, great article. I have been doing some research on mounting ('chid space is of the essence) and what comes to mind is I have property on an island on the east coast of Fl and within our island and surrounding islands we come across some pretty awesome shapes and forms of drift wood. My only thought about using the driftwood is the enviromental conditions of salt water. The pieces we come across are awesome, what would you recommend to soak and or do with these pieces, certainly saturated by the salty sea air/water etc.

[jags]

Walking through the orchid shops in Chatchuk market area in Bangkok I found this great orchid mounts that they were selling. They go through an elaborate process of converting raw coconut husks into mounting mediums..



The above picture shows how babay plants are raised in the cocoblock medium..

we have tried use of several mounting systems and still the fernblocks are the best to use as the orchids seems to catch on tehm pretty fast.
JAGS

[littlefrog]

We have that in the US too. We call them 'coconut chips'. They come in three or four graded sizes in compressed bales. A good substitute for bark, but you need to wash the bejeezus out of them before use.

[DaveD]

I too am a believer in mouting orchids, they seem to do better. Some seem to prefer not being in a pot such as C. aclandiae, mine did not bloom until it grew out of the pot. I have used Cypress, grapevine, tree fern slabs, wood baskets turned upside down, and anything that looks good to me. I have also used large chunks of cork bark in a wood basket or tree fern chunks in a wood basket. Have always believed in orchids needing air so transplant all of mine in wood baskets, they bloom better when the roots grow outside the basket. I have used 'Liquid Nail' to mount some of mine. I really enjoyed your article on mounting and picked up some new ideas, good article.

[Tesa]

Yes, mounting needs experience. Orchids that like it wet, will grow perfectly on tree fern. But I don´t buy it anymore because of protecting the endangered population. We threaten the ferns, so don´t forget: There are no fern plantations! The ones who like to dry rapidly I mount on bark. Cork bark is good, walnut is great and normally gratis. Other fruit-tree bark like apple or peach wil do it fine as well. And there are good results on driftwood, oakwood....there are a plenty of factors, and you have to have a kind of sure instinct or green thumb. And don´t forget the moss base, what kind of moss and so on.
Don´t be shy! Mount!

Tesa

[bodaciousbonsai]

You guys wanna know what makes a perfect mount for the quick dryers. Take a terra cotta dish for a pot drill a hole through, add your coat hanger for hanging add modest helping of sphagnum, add orchid, zip tie black works good or green your choice. I soak em once a week then spray.
Clay

[Spider]

I would like to know if somebody have used corknuggets for growing Cattleya, not on a mount but in a pot? Can you in that case tell me about your experience?