Hardwood for Mounts
 

Where is the best place to buy or order Hardwood Branches for mounting orchids?

Thanks!
-sam

The reptile aisle at the pet store usually have grape wood and cork. Mopani is really hard and difficult to work with but it's usually available, too.

Cedar shingles at HD/Lowes/Lumber yard and planks in the BBQ section.

If you know any arborists, they might have scraps to share (catch them before the chipper starts).

Your city or electric company might have a maintenance crew that trims trees from power lines. Stop and say hi to them. They might cut something to order.

If our hybrid American Chestnut/Chinese Chestnut tree succumbs to American Chestnut blight, I plan to chop it up and use it to mount my orchids. :)

Do you know whether the blight can infect orchids, as well?

Wow. No, I had no idea. I have not seen any signs of it with my other plants, indoors or out. Good to know, though. I am actually hoping the chestnut will survive as it is a beautiful tree and the nuts are delicious. The parent tree died back completely not long after my little tree was given to me. I wish I could cut a few branches for mounts but I have been told that cutting the tree isn't good for it (allows the fungus more entrance and stresses the tree). Interesting.

I think some fungi are able to infect multiple hosts, and others are very specific. I don't know about this one. It might be good for you to try and find out some more information on it.

Pear blight (bacterial) is not specific but I think that the American Chestnut blight might be. It survives in old forests where roots still remain after all these years, throwing up new growths that grow for a time, then succumb and die. I really don't know if any other trees or plants have ever suffered from the fungus. I have other nut trees, fruit trees, berries, herbs and quite a few houseplants but I have never had any problems. I was concerned when one of the 'chocolate trees' arrived with a die-back fungus but even the other Theobroma cacao didn't suffer any harm. It is possible that they were two different types of cacao trees.