Partical board - Orchid Board

RoseSD · #1 12-10-2021, 09:09 PM

Is it safe to use partical board to make orchid mount?

Roberta · #2 12-10-2021, 09:55 PM

Safety isn't the issue. lasting power is. Whatever you use needs to stay intact under wet conditions for as many years as possible. I think that wet particle board would last about a week. Also, the ideal mount has a rough surface to encourage roots to attach. Cork (the bark of the cork oak tree) is very popular. Of local woods for you (San Diego CA area) , I have found that Bottle Brush Tree wood works very well - rough surface, and very hard. Where you live, you should be able to find someone trimming one of these. Select smaller branches to make them manageable. (I acquired a nice stash when I noticed a neighbor cutting one down... when the guys were loading up their truck, I went over there and was able to pick the pieces that I wanted, they were happy to share)

RoseSD · #3 12-11-2021, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roberta

Safety isn't the issue. lasting power is. Whatever you use needs to stay intact under wet conditions for as many years as possible. I think that wet particle board would last about a week. Also, the ideal mount has a rough surface to encourage roots to attach. Cork (the bark of the cork oak tree) is very popular. Of local woods for you (San Diego CA area) , I have found that Bottle Brush Tree wood works very well - rough surface, and very hard. Where you live, you should be able to find someone trimming one of these. Select smaller branches to make them manageable. (I acquired a nice stash when I noticed a neighbor cutting one down... when the guys were loading up their truck, I went over there and was able to pick the pieces that I wanted, they were happy to share)

Wow I don't think I have the luck you do. What do I do with the orchid at the meantime?

estación seca · #4 12-11-2021, 04:14 AM

Is your plant potted now? What is it?

RoseSD · #5 12-11-2021, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by estación seca

Is your plant potted now? What is it?

No I kept it wrapped in wet paper
It isn't easy because it is a long string of psuduballs of Dendrochilum aurantiacum. Will post a photo in a bit.

Roberta · #6 12-11-2021, 11:32 AM

I would be inclined to pot Dendrochilum rather than mount. If it were mine, sphag in a basket. You can get a "starter stash" of cork bark mounts from many orchid vendors. But just because a plant is bare root doesn't mean that mounting is the best way to grow it... for mounting, choose types that are strongly epiphytic and mount only when you see new roots. You need to do a bit of research on each one to decide the best way to grow it. Very few orchids NEED to be mounted... most will grow potted just fine, if medium is correctly selected.

RoseSD · #7 12-11-2021, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roberta

I would be inclined to pot Dendrochilum rather than mount. If it were mine, sphag in a basket. You can get a "starter stash" of cork bark mounts from many orchid vendors. But just because a plant is bare root doesn't mean that mounting is the best way to grow it... for mounting, choose types that are strongly epiphytic and mount only when you see new roots. You need to do a bit of research on each one to decide the best way to grow it. Very few orchids NEED to be mounted... most will grow potted just fine, if medium is correctly selected.

Andy already trained it to be mount worthy! 🤣
Trust me, if it was easy to pot I would. Certainly easier for me!

Roberta · #8 12-11-2021, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoseSD

Andy already trained it to be mount worthy! 🤣
Trust me, if it was easy to pot I would. Certainly easier for me!

I does look like that species tends to ramble. It could still be trained into a basket. Actually, Andy does have cork mounts (and he has open house this weekend, not far for you to go) He might also have some suitable wood mounts. You will want to put a little sphag under the plant, then more over the roots. Andy uses 20-pound test fishing line. Dental floss works too. Or thin wire. The important thing is that the plant be held firmly in place.

Or you coud re-train it for a basket. Your choice.

RoseSD · #9 12-11-2021, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roberta

I does look like that species tends to ramble. It could still be trained into a basket. Actually, Andy does have cork mounts (and he has open house this weekend, not far for you to go) He might also have some suitable wood mounts. You will want to put a little sphag under the plant, then more over the roots. Andy uses 20-pound test fishing line. Dental floss works too. Or thin wire. The important thing is that the plant be held firmly in place.

Or you coud re-train it for a basket. Your choice.

Haha that's where I got this babe! I didn't want to buy the other supplies because I thought particle board could work and my husband can cut just about anything using it....
Do you have a good tutorial video on mounting you could share please?

Roberta · #10 12-11-2021, 03:34 PM

I leave it to others on the Board to point you at mounting videos that they find useful. I learned it on the fly. You can learn a lot just by observing at Andy's. Key concepts:
Long lasting, rough surface wood (or just buy cork mounts)
In most cases, put the roots directly against the mount where the new roots are emerging, than any sphag over the top of existing roots. If you have a plant that needs more moisture such as Pleurothallids, you can put a little under the plant too but you want the plant to grow into the mount not into the moss.
Ideally, mount when new roots appear - those are the only ones that will attach, but the older ones will keep the plant going in the meantime. Orientation of new growth direction toward the mount is critical... you won't get it right every time but do your best.

Do your research before getting into it too much... clearly you do need to make sure that you understand the basics. Remounting is stressful to a plant so you want to get it right the first time.

---------- Post added at 12:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:12 PM ----------

Mounting is growing like they do in nature like on a tree (you are providing the "tree"). Particle board is mostly glue. Do not mount orchids on glue.

---------- Post added at 12:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:15 PM ----------

Additional critical item... plants must be held FIRMLY in place no matter how you secure them. Just like potting, if they wobble new roots will be damaged and not attach.