Aerangis luteo (rhodosticta) (Project 4) - Mounted vs potted
 

Hello....I just ordered Proj 4 orchid, and I actually added that I wanted the orchid in a potted plant but just received an e-mail, and they asked which one I preferred..potted or mounted. I've only grown potted orchids and that's just been this year pretty much, how difficult is it to care for a mounted orchid? Do they have to stay outside (dumb question right??? lol)? If outside, then I would need to transfer it in and out during the hot dry summer months and winter months right?....I so confused...Thanks for any help.

Hiya :)

Actually, a mounted orchid I think is a little easier to take care of then a potted one. Much of the time, the roots are exposed or near to it so there is little chance you will over water and rot them off. It also never really needs repotting because it is growing all over the surface of something. If it gets to large, you can just tie the whole thing to something even larger. It generally requires more watering then a potted orchid, but otherwise kind of nice. Also, a mounted plant does not need to be outside, it can be inside as long as you water it somewhere where the water won't run all over your floor. Maybe place it in a bathtub, a sink, or a bucket when you give it some water. Depending on where you live you may have to water often, so that is also something to consider.
I am in California and all my mounted orchids need to be watered at least one time per day during the summer.
I like mounted over potted personally because I'm a heavy waterer and I tend to overdo it sometimes. It is really just a personal preference.
Also, when you mount orchids you are often only limited by your imagination. Orchids can be mounted to almost anything. Stuff like rocks, branches, bark. It might be a little more watering, but in other ways, I think it's much easier.

Thank you so much DJ for replying. I think you might have answered my question....in fact you have. I am nurturing one of my dendrobiums from over watering, so mounting might be best for me. I do tend to overwater. I'll take the plunge and order it mounted! Thank you....

Hi there! I just emailed Tom at Parkside and told him what my conditions were like and asked for his advice. He recommended I stick with a potted plant as my RH is fairly low. I'm sure if you emailed him he'd be happy to make a recommendation for you.

FWIW, I am going to mount mine when it comes... I like to mist every day and look over the plants so its either mounted plants, or very open baskets for all except the little Pleuros. (I'm lucky they like to stay moist, thank goodness!)

Where to we get OB project orchid?
 

Sorry I missed the chat and I'm trying to catch up. Where do we order the OB #4 from? What do we ask for? A near bloom ? Thx.

Phallgirl we went with Parkside Orchids as our US vendor. Ar. rodostica is under Misc. When you order make sure you put your OB username in the comments section. If you confirmed with Sue that you were going to order the plant she should have forwarded your OB username to Parkside so you can get the discount. Parkside is an OB sponsor so you can get the link from the sponsor area.

Go to Parkside's site, look in their Miscellaneos Section, scroll down to Aerangis rhodosticta. That's the plant to order.

When placing your order, be sure to put your OB user name in the comments section so Tom and John are aware that you are part of our project. You can also tell them there whether you'd like it potted or mounted.

From what I've read, these 'chids do best mounted (one of the articles I read said they do not like tree fern) but some folks want them potted, so thankfully we have a choice :clap:

hi
It is interesting to see the discussion on mounted vs potted. I happen to work in North eastern Part of India which has real tropical climate and you just mount anything on even a wood piece many of them produce numerous aerial roots. Here the RH is very high and very ideal for epiphytes. On the other side i have collection of several species in bangalore , southern part of India. Here the RH is very low during the months of Dec to May and many of the mounted ones struggle to put out new growths and roots. Even though we mist and somehow mainatin it. Humidity plays an important role in profuse aerial root formation. Another issue is some of the pendulous plants especially some Den. and Phals prefer to be hung and mounted, i have some Phal.mannii producing huge leaves mounted on a small wooden plaque. But most of the problems of overwatering can be taken care when they are mounted, happy orchid growing. sastry