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Will this work for mounting orchids?

Discussion in 'Growing Areas' started by jimbo0108, Dec 20, 2014.

  1. Dec 20, 2014 #1
    jimbo0108

    jimbo0108 Member

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    I have been wanting to try my hand at mounting a few orchids. I found some real neat pieces of wood in a empty lot next to my house and I cleaned them up and took all the rotten wood off with a wire brush and this is what they ended up looking like. What do you think about whether they will work or not??? uploadfromtaptalk1419052319437.jpg uploadfromtaptalk1419052326403.jpg uploadfromtaptalk1419052330958.jpg uploadfromtaptalk1419052337351.jpg uploadfromtaptalk1419052343365.jpg uploadfromtaptalk1419052347971.jpg uploadfromtaptalk1419052352392.jpg
     
  2. Dec 20, 2014 #2
    Alexey

    Alexey Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    I would be very cautious with mounting orchid on already rotting wood: real epiphytes prefer fresh, non-decaying environment. Terrestrial "epiphytes" with roots not in the soil, but between layer of litter and soil, can be successfully grown with less efforts using pot culture.
     
  3. Dec 20, 2014 #3
    Daethen

    Daethen Orchid Mom

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    I always boil and/or bake the pieces of wood that I use to mount. There can be parasites and viruses hidden in the wood that this will eliminate. If it is too big to get into the oven I don't use it.
     
  4. Dec 20, 2014 #4
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Jimbo, I know you have put a lot of work into these already but I have to agree with Alexey. Once a mount is rotted it can hold too much water, much like a sponge. With these pieces already starting to rot I'm afraid they could turn to mush rapidly. Also, unless you know what kind of wood it is you won't know how long it will last, even if it was fresh. You want to use a rot resistant wood. I know you wanted a different answer but I would hate to see your first attempt fail due to a bad mount material.
     
  5. Dec 20, 2014 #5
    jimbo0108

    jimbo0108 Member

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    Thanks everyone, today I actually cut the large pieces of wood into smaller pieces and the wood actually looks pretty fresh in the center...my assumption is its oak because that's what mainly grows in wooded lots around here. I may still try it in time because I recently purchased 2 flasks of encyclia hybrids which I got about 80 seedlings from so I'm not going to be heartbroken if it dosent work. Lol but I'm going to let them establish a little before trying. Would cutting the wood cause any problems???
     
  6. Dec 21, 2014 #6
    Daethen

    Daethen Orchid Mom

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    No, cutting it should cause no trouble. I would still treat it for pests if I were you.
     
  7. Dec 22, 2014 #7
    jimbo0108

    jimbo0108 Member

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    What do you reccomend for putting it in the oven...how hot and how long?
     
  8. Dec 22, 2014 #8
    Daethen

    Daethen Orchid Mom

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    I usually put it in at around 300 for an hour or so.
     
  9. Dec 22, 2014 #9
    jimbo0108

    jimbo0108 Member

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    Thanks again will do that then