Mounting a Phalaenopsis ......? - Orchid Board

NeoNJ · #1 05-25-2012, 03:26 PM

I've been looking for a mounted Phalaenopsis, and can't find any for sale, so figured perhaps I could try mounting one myself ...

Has anyone had experience with this?

nenella · #2 05-25-2012, 04:19 PM

You will find plenty of posts on this board to do with this. I can only strongly suggest that you hang the mount with the leaves pointing downwards as this is how they grow in the wild. This insures that water does not get into the crown and rots the crown.
Have a look for posts posted by 'king of Orchid growing' on the subject.

NeoNJ · #3 05-25-2012, 04:31 PM

I've already done a search and didn't find helpful information, so that is why I made my posting ......

zxyqu · #4 05-25-2012, 05:35 PM

I've done this with fair success. It works best with species and near species novelties, as they still have the flat parallel growth (unlike some large hybrids whose crown grows north/south). There are lots of things to consider, so would you mind telling us of your conditions.
Mounting really requires increased humidity and watering, so if you can do that, you should be fine.

NeoNJ · #5 05-25-2012, 06:49 PM

I have a number of mounted orchids - mostly Aerangis/Angraecum, mystacidium capense, Haraella, and really wanted to try a Phalaenopsis.
I have had a potted cornu-cervi that did very well, and I now have 2 potted Phal. hybrids.

I guess it would be best if I got a species Phal, but I will only be able to find one potted I'm sure.

I've never mounted an orchid myself .....

Paul Mc · #6 05-25-2012, 07:26 PM

I tried a phal late fall. It is a bit intimidating. I concur, based on my research, that species would be far better, and even then some species may not take as well as others. I opted for a cornu-cervi because it's one that is supposed to take to mounting fairly good. However, I quickly noticed the roots were dying despite daily watering, so I added sphag under it and now water about every other day. Nothing was happening all winter, but this week I noticed a lot of new roots and a new leaf! I was told the sphag would help initially by adding moisture and humidity while it got more accustomed to being out of a pot.

zxyqu · #7 05-25-2012, 07:27 PM

Phal CC's would be a great option. They enjoy a quick wet/dry cycle. I mount on tree fern in preference (though cork is also an option), and use a little amount of sphagnum to help keep humidity and moisture up initially. Just wait for active growth, and then tie it down with some twine/fishing line, and must daily. Should work great.

NeoNJ · #8 06-15-2012, 03:43 PM

I have a number of Phalaenopsis species orchids that I purchased mounted - none of them were facing downwards, so I question that point.

I have a new hybrid that I mounted. I have spaghnum moss under the roots - but should I put spaghnum moss over the roots also ???