My grandfather recently gave me an old, old epidendrum orchid that desperately needed repotting. He has so many other orchids he did not want to mess with it, so he gave it to me. It really was sad. I wish I had taken a picture before I took it out of its pot. Sad business. Still alive and even producing a small flower spike, but sad. I had run out of the potting medium I bought from repotme.com and our finances are tight right now so I didn't want to spend more money buying more. So, since epidendrums are epiphytes, like it bright and hot, and are known as some of the easiest, most adaptable orchids to grow, I decided to mount it. When it comes to mounting, people first think of vanda orchids. They are not put in a mix like phalaenopsis or pretty much everybody else, but mounted in open-air baskets or on pieces of some natural substance due to what they like. You can do the same with just about any epiphyte orchid, such as epidendrums, dendrobiums, and phalaenopsis too. Why people usually don't mount is because of watering. Mounted orchids just need to be watered more than plants in pots because they don't have a mix to hold and absorb water. In nature, tropical epiphyte orchids get frequent small showers and morning dew. This also produces a humidity problem. They dry out faster. If you have a greenhouse or humidifier it isn't so much a problem for mounts, but it still means they need more frequent watering. Like 3-5 times a week, or every day in the summer outdoors. |
For phalaenopsis, they do so well in pots you may not want to bother with mounting one (unless you want a cool showpiece with several plants on it.) Though, orchids love being mounted, granted proper care. They send out roots like crazy, so it might be an idea for struggling orchids or ones that have lost a lot of roots for some reason.
I decided to mount first because I needed to do something for my poor epidendrum, and I thought it would look pretty cool. I had dendrobium orchids at my wedding reception and kept two of them, so I thought, why not? I'll mount them with the epi too. They have similar light and temperature needs.
Even if you do want to mount, what should you mount it on? There are many options. Almost anything will do really, but you want something that will at least absorb some water, like cork or a type of wood, and big enough to last the orchid some years. Unless you're using baskets (which you can just fit right inside of each other when the plant outgrows it) other mounts aren't that easy. If you go with wood, the type matters. You don't want something that will disintegrate in a year or two. That defeats the object.
Many orchid supply stores such as repotme and tindaraorchids sell mounts. They are made mostly out of cork and tree fern, which absorb water and are long lasting. They are excellent for just about anything. If you care about sustainability, they are also sustainable products. Most are flat or 2D, but there are pot-like ones too. Just one warning on tree bark. It can grow too acidic after a few years, steadily killing the orchid. It might be good for young plants or seedlings to start out on, but you may want to choose something different for older plants that won't be moved for several years.
I did not want to spend money, so I didn't buy a mount. If you go with wood, you can practically choose anything non-aromatic (or even aromatic, in some cases.) Conifers aren't the best, but there are plenty of people who use cedar and juniper. Hickory, crepe myrtle, and freshwater driftwood are other options if you can. Since I am surrounded by cedar where I live, so I'm going with that. My husband and I just went out and found a downed cedar tree trunk and cut it to size. It was even a little burnt, adding a nice rustic look I think. I cleaned it and then used a little algaecide to kill anything.
I decided to mount first because I needed to do something for my poor epidendrum, and I thought it would look pretty cool. I had dendrobium orchids at my wedding reception and kept two of them, so I thought, why not? I'll mount them with the epi too. They have similar light and temperature needs.
Even if you do want to mount, what should you mount it on? There are many options. Almost anything will do really, but you want something that will at least absorb some water, like cork or a type of wood, and big enough to last the orchid some years. Unless you're using baskets (which you can just fit right inside of each other when the plant outgrows it) other mounts aren't that easy. If you go with wood, the type matters. You don't want something that will disintegrate in a year or two. That defeats the object.
Many orchid supply stores such as repotme and tindaraorchids sell mounts. They are made mostly out of cork and tree fern, which absorb water and are long lasting. They are excellent for just about anything. If you care about sustainability, they are also sustainable products. Most are flat or 2D, but there are pot-like ones too. Just one warning on tree bark. It can grow too acidic after a few years, steadily killing the orchid. It might be good for young plants or seedlings to start out on, but you may want to choose something different for older plants that won't be moved for several years.
I did not want to spend money, so I didn't buy a mount. If you go with wood, you can practically choose anything non-aromatic (or even aromatic, in some cases.) Conifers aren't the best, but there are plenty of people who use cedar and juniper. Hickory, crepe myrtle, and freshwater driftwood are other options if you can. Since I am surrounded by cedar where I live, so I'm going with that. My husband and I just went out and found a downed cedar tree trunk and cut it to size. It was even a little burnt, adding a nice rustic look I think. I cleaned it and then used a little algaecide to kill anything.
Many people use sphagnum moss when mounting to hold water and moisture for the plant for the first year or two while it grows and attaches itself to the mount. I couldn't find any around where I live, so I used one of those coconut fiber pot liners. I soaked it in water overnight and used a really big fork to shred it up. Coconut fiber is an increasingly used component of orchid mixes, so I felt safe with this. It will help hold water and secure the plant.
Basically, you stick the plant on the mount how you want it, lightly cover the roots with moss, and secure it down with something. A lot of people use fishing line because it is strong, doesn't erode, and is mostly invisible. However, it can cut into the orchid if tied too tightly. Other options are yarn, panty hose, anything that can tie it down. It only has to last for a year or two, until the orchid attaches itself.
Basically, you stick the plant on the mount how you want it, lightly cover the roots with moss, and secure it down with something. A lot of people use fishing line because it is strong, doesn't erode, and is mostly invisible. However, it can cut into the orchid if tied too tightly. Other options are yarn, panty hose, anything that can tie it down. It only has to last for a year or two, until the orchid attaches itself.
Yeah, I know. Big log. But the epidendrum isn't actually that small, and it grows sideways instead of up like vandas, so it has plenty of room to grow. I also have two other orchids to fit on there, right in that blank spot. (Also, please pardon the poor quality photos. It's from an ipod of all things.) Putting on the next ones was the same. I did loosely tie the two together since the taller dendrobium is a little top heavy. You can do this with dendrobiums because once the pseudobulb has flowered, it's done. It's just there for food storage. Here it is with all its little plants on it. <3
I'm pretty satisfied with it. It fits in the sink, so it will be easy to water. Though I am thinking of getting something to fit underneath it so I can just pour water on it occasionally between real waterings without ruining my house. I think it looks pretty cool too. Unconventional mount. :D
What I will really like is being able to easily assess how my orchid roots are doing. For an orchid, roots are king. They tell you everything you need to know. My two dendrobiums were having a hard time after their flight. I found out why when I repotted them and found that their roots had mostly rotted. If they were mounted, first they wouldn't have rotted from stagnant water, and two I would have been able to see the roots. The coconut fiber will eventually disappear, so all I will be left with are orchids on a log, roots trailing all over. Problems are easily seen and identified on mounts.
Lastly, as for orchid mount care, fertilize weekly with half the amount you normally would. The easiest way to water is just dunk the whole mount in water in the sink for a couple minutes, let it drain, and put it back where it was. That's it. Because the water drains away within minutes, it is almost impossible to overwater a mounted orchid. So have at thee, you waterers!
What I will really like is being able to easily assess how my orchid roots are doing. For an orchid, roots are king. They tell you everything you need to know. My two dendrobiums were having a hard time after their flight. I found out why when I repotted them and found that their roots had mostly rotted. If they were mounted, first they wouldn't have rotted from stagnant water, and two I would have been able to see the roots. The coconut fiber will eventually disappear, so all I will be left with are orchids on a log, roots trailing all over. Problems are easily seen and identified on mounts.
Lastly, as for orchid mount care, fertilize weekly with half the amount you normally would. The easiest way to water is just dunk the whole mount in water in the sink for a couple minutes, let it drain, and put it back where it was. That's it. Because the water drains away within minutes, it is almost impossible to overwater a mounted orchid. So have at thee, you waterers!