Just curious...

[LavendarSunset]

...are there some species of orchids that are better suited to being mounted on cork or wood, or all they all good candidates?

[Wynn Dee13]

Yes, some are more suitable than others. First, I would stick with mounting epiphytes. Orchids that actually grow on trees in the wild. Terrestrial orchids wouldn't be good candidates. It also depends on your growing conditions. Some will do better than others. Orchids that like to stay moist and need high humidity wouldn't be good candidates if your growing conditions are dry and hot.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Wynn Dee13

Yes, some are more suitable than others. First, I would stick with mounting epiphytes. Orchids that actually grow on trees in the wild. Terrestrial orchids wouldn't be good candidates. It also depends on your growing conditions. Some will do better than others. Orchids that like to stay moist and need high humidity wouldn't be good candidates if your growing conditions are dry and hot.

Something like L anceps is probably good for hotter and drier climates, tho would likely still need frequent watering. For indoors, you'd probably have some more options, tho would want to stay with orchids that won't get too big. I have a D bigibbum v compactum mounted and does well, tho I haven't tried it indoors during summer yet, to get blooms, but do have a couple other small Den phals that bloom in a sunny window, so something like that might be good. I also have a small mounted Neo that is doing well mounted. (I"ve had some trouble with mounted plants during the summers here, but those two have done well for a few years.

Indoors you can always use a humidifier too - so that would give you more options as well

[tucker85]

Mini-cattleyas and compact cattleyas are great candidates for mounts. Some orchids that like to dry very quickly, like encyclias and some laelias, do well mounted. Some orchids are physically unsuited for mounts because they're too big or the psuedobulbs are too tall.

[Ray]

I think that your growing conditions and watering habits trump the plant genus/species/hybrid.

Any orchid can be grown mounted, but it may be easy or difficult for your situation.

[james mickelso]

Laelia citrina might be a good candidate. It grows in north central mexico down to guatemala on oak trees in the dry scrub brush areas. Deciduous oak forests between 1500 and 4000 feet elevation. It takes full sun up here but will need some shading where you live. It has fragrant yellow flowers and could be watered daily in the morning with some misting later in the day if very hot. There are hydrators that are like humming bird feeders that slowly release water into a substrate on the back of the mount for additional moisture.

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[Wynn Dee13]

James there isn't a species named Laelia citrina. Did you mean Encyclia citrina?

[james mickelso]

I understand that it was transferred to laelia recently. I always thought it was encyclia but was told that it was transferred. I am always cornfuzed when this happens. Either way I think it would grow well where she lives. The fragrance is wonderful. Citrusy.

[Wynn Dee13]

I didn't know it was changed. They are so confusing! I googled Laelia citrina and got nothing. I love The genus Laelia and pretty much know all the species. I prefer to call them by their original names because otherwise it is too confusing. I would be changing tags all the time. You also find better information on the plant if you use the older name.

[james mickelso]

Yes. I always thought it was encyclia but kept being told that it was transferred. So I started referring to it by laelia. I'll go to AOS and find out from them. Very confusing indeed. At Santa Barbara Orchid Estates they have them hanging by the office where they get minimal care and water. Bloom like crazy. I've had a few and they do well and then I move and they swiftly go downhill regardless of what I do. Let me know when you are coming down.Thanks.