Appropriate wood for mounts?

[realoldbeachbum]

Originally Posted by sweetas647

Hi all!

Apologies if this question has been asked before... but I'm curious what types of wood are okay to use for mounting. For example, I've heard that resinous or sap-producing woods are not good for growing plants on - is that true? Any types or classes that should be avoided?

Thanks in advance!

This is my very first mount -- on a piece of 85 year old barn wood from a barn that I recently inherited in southern Tennessee. The wood is rough and has original nail holes that the roots wiggle through. (I have a whole barn full of this stuff so I hope this first one does well! )

When I first started growing orchids -- less than 3 years ago -- I was NOT interested in mounts, My goal was to get one, just one, orchid to bloom in a pot. A mount was a bridge too far. Well, now look at this . . . .

Don't be afraid to experiment. Best of luck to you!

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by realoldbeachbum

Attachment 150034

This is my very first mount -- on a piece of 85 year old barn wood from a barn that I recently inherited in southern Tennessee. The wood is rough and has original nail holes that the roots wiggle through. (I have a whole barn full of this stuff so I hope this first one does well! )

When I first started growing orchids -- less than 3 years ago -- I was NOT interested in mounts, My goal was to get one, just one, orchid to bloom in a pot. A mount was a bridge too far. Well, now look at this . . . .

Don't be afraid to experiment. Best of luck to you!

That looks great! If that barn has been around for 85 years, I think that you can say that the wood is durable! And clearly, the plant likes it.

[estación seca]

Art galleries will be interested in that wood for framing paintings. Go to a framing shop and see what frame material costs before agreeing on a price.

[Orchid Whisperer]

My favorite wood for mounts is actually highly resinous.

I use the hard heart-of-pine that is in the core of old pine trees that remains after the soft wood has rotted away naturally. This type of wood often forms interesting shapes in the roots and base of the tree. The weathered surfaces are not resinous, but the interior of the wood is, so pieces used for mounts don't decay. It all comes from long dead fallen trees.

I collect pieces from a patch of woods on the back half of my property. If you live in a place where wood-gathering for firewood is allowed on public land, you can probably collect some there if there are pine trees (make sure that you check the rules before you collect). Same goes for privately-owned woods (ask permission first).

[Fairorchids]

I prefer cork, but I also improvise.

When an oak comes down, I often collect branches that are 1.1/2 to 3" in diameter. Then, after I cut them into 4-8" long segments, I run them through lengthwise on a table saw. That gives them a flat rear, so they can hang against the wire wall, and a curved front for the plant to grow around.

When I have leftover scraps from my home repair business, I save cedar, oak and merati (= 'mahogany'). Small pieces are cut into mounts, and larger pieces into staves, which I use to make baskets.

[wisdomseeker]

Another possible choice ~ coconut shell (not husk). Holds up very well for an organic material, and endures the elements for a long time (especially with heavy watering). One drawback: it's a bear to drill and saw. I remember maryanne (an OB member) also mentioned coconut shell mounts in a post from about a year ago.