Root sensitivity to metals?

[AnonYMouse]

How come I don't know this?

So I've grown Neos on slate slabs and an olla. I've got another weird idea, on metal! Preferably on copper, maybe on bronze or brass.

Are they sensitive to these metals or the oxides associated with them (the patina!).

Anybody know?

[Ray]

I don’t know that there has been a specific study with orchids in this regard, but looking at mineral nutrition data, it seems that pretty much all metal ions do have a level at which they become phytotoxic and I would think that direct contact would lead to that more quickly than exposure to ion-containing minerals.

[Roberta]

I'd suspect that the metals wouldn't be a good idea. And in general, a good mount is one with a rough surface that can hold a bit of water. Even if it weren't toxic, a slab of metal would not have those characteristics.

[Louis_W]

Some copper compounds are used as herbicide so I would not use that just in case.

[AnonYMouse]

All good points.

Knowing about Tillies' sensitivity to copper and its alloys, I did wonder.

Back to waiting for the next wacky inspiration.