Mounting Angraeceum leonis on a branch?

[swords]

Hello, I've just recently got my first Angraecoid orchid, A. leonis. Supposedly a small species when mature. I want to grow it mounted on a branch when I get my epiphyte wall unit built. When mounting, do these types of orchids need a bed of sphagnum over their roots or do they like being very exposed?

[cb977]

Whenever I mount a 'chid, I cover the roots with a little sphag, just to protect them from the fishing line cutting into them. Once the plant has attached itself, I usually remove the moss and line.

[Tricho]

In general, they should have the roots exposed. But if you see that the conditions that you have are too dry, do put some so that the roots are dry a few hours after watering. If the roots do not get enough moisture they will start to wrinkle too much and you can tell by this if everything is ok.

Susanne has a good point also.

[Ross]

In general, when mounting orchids, the sphagnum is only a padding. In nature, these guys grow directly on trees, etc. and roots don't need or use sphagnum. Some folks here use it for padding over roots, which is ok, but in general, sphagnum is not of use for mounted plants.

[Tricho]

I agree about nature conditions but mine unfortunately are different.

I use sphagnum to maintain moisture around roots when i see that it helps to improve growth/hydration. Sometimes, in some species, I use it only in the summer and remove it afterwards. I guess everyone should play a little and find the best solution to counteract the imperfect conditions we may have.

[swords]

Thanks folks. I know some orchids like Bulbophyllums, pleurothallids, etc appreciate the extra moisture when mounted but I've seen my pal Jerry at Orchids Ltd growing many of his Vanda/Vanda related plants on big wire hooks with no mount or substrate. The roots are sometimes as long as I am tall. So I was just wondering if Sphagnum on these types of orchid would lead to rot or something else undesireable.

[Tricho]

In general yes, for the Vanda.

The others you can cultivate in sphagnum.

It all depends on the rest that you give them (ventilation, watering, temperature, etc).

What you should always try to achieve is a wet/dry cycle that the orchid likes (whatever it is). The materials that you use will depend on what you can get with them giving the conditions you have and the habits you have.

[markr]

Sphagnum is used when mounting orchids as a way of maintaining a little more moisture at the roots between waterings in environments that aren't humid enough (such as the typical living room). In my experience, anything below 70% RH long term is not enough for exposed Angraecoid roots, which are quite thin and dry out easily. First sign of trouble is that the orange (or green for some) root tips stop growing.

If you regularly spray the roots twice a day or so, you could probably get away with bare roots in a dry room. If you are growing it in a terrarium, greenhouse, plant window, or other humid enclosed space, the sphagnum isn't necessary - directly attaching the plant to a branch is fine and probably best.