Cork bark is expensive, what else can I use?
 

I have 3 orchids to mount. And I'm finding that cork bark is very expensive to buy - so I'm trying to figure out other appropriate mounting material that may be less expensive.......

Any ideas ?

You can mount an orchid on almost any kind or wood. I've seen them mounted on cedar, cypress and grapewood, here in Florida. I'm sure many northern types of wood can be used. Find something that looks interesting and won't deteriorate too quickly.

apple wood, fern tree, grape wood, hickory, cholla=bone of cactus is the best it is hollow and with holes)...go to the supermarket and look for firewood for bar-b-q or for winter fireplace....just dont choose wood that produces a lot of sap(pine tree, maple or the tree that the poison ivy likes to thrive in) that might affect the roots of your orchid...choose the one that dries up fast and is porous...
you dont have to buy it...youre in Jersey and a lot of forest around your area...just be careful of bears and ticks

I have used both oak and cherry for mounting orchids; I bet ironwood would be good as well. Alternately, you can always buy wood shingles (the unfinished sort) at the local lumber yard and use them as well... You might also go to the oakhill gardens site and take a look at their cork mount (and copycat it if you're handy...), if you have access to used wine corks (the real cork kind that is...)
Good luck!
Adam

I use Mopani wood from the fish store. (Petco or Petsmart)
Joann

Aren't the pieces of Mopani wood from PETCO rather large ???

They come in various sizes, sometimes I get one that is a bit large and just cut it down and have two mounts.
Joann

Agree, doesn't have to cost you anything. Go for a walk in a park or along a river....driftwood pieces work great. Make sure you clean it up prior to mounting.....make sure no critters etc. Post some pics once you've mounted them, good luck.

It's funny, but I found if I go to PETCO and buy Zoo Med cork bark it is so much cheaper than getting Cork bark from Orchid vendors or Orchid supply places. So I'm off to PETCO this morning !

the pet stores have lots of good stuff for orchids. typically its cost is higher but the quality is very good. I use the ZooMed sphagnum. We have both petco and petsmart. I prefer petsmart bec the stores are cleaner and dont smell like a pet store. ;)