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Wood/bark for ghost orchids

Discussion in 'Wanted' started by jai, Oct 19, 2017.

  1. Oct 19, 2017 #1
    jai

    jai Orchid addict

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    I have a flask of ghost orchids ready to deflask. I am looking for wood that's decent rot resistant, very textured and furrowed.
    Some examples
    Bradford pear
    Pond apple
    Cypress

    I have a few orchids I'm willing to trade.
     
  2. Oct 19, 2017 #2
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    Have you considered virgin cork bark? It's very long lasting, light, and deeply grooved. And readily available.
     
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  3. Oct 19, 2017 #3
    jai

    jai Orchid addict

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    Yes but from my research they seem to not do well on cork bark or tree fern for some reason.
     
  4. Oct 19, 2017 #4
    jai

    jai Orchid addict

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  5. Oct 19, 2017 #5
    carl

    carl Active Member

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    Pear won't last - rots too fast. Cypress will. Don't know about Pond Apple. Also good is wood from ericaceous shrubs - rhododendron, kalmia, etc. Black locust is also exceptionally long lasting.
     
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  6. Oct 19, 2017 #6
    jai

    jai Orchid addict

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    For ghost orchids pear wood apparently works well. They picky with wood I guess:confused:
     
  7. Oct 19, 2017 #7
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Based on the article you linked to, you are looking for bark not wood.

    Jacob, I haven't done the reading on this species that you have but I wonder if the problem with cork are the deep fissures associated with it? Since the roots conduct all of the photosynthesis with this species I would assume that deep fissures could generate too much shade (guessing). It seems that any relatively smooth, durable bark would work well. Perhaps cork cut into a smoother shape would work? Also, the durability of the wood does not always correlate directly with the durability of the bark. For instance, I have seen rotten cottonwood logs with the bark still in decent shape. On other species the bark will deteriorate before the wood.

    Good luck with the lindenii. I understand they are difficult.
     
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  8. Oct 19, 2017 #8
    jai

    jai Orchid addict

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    Thank you Kelly I need the luck! Yes I am looking for bark.
    From what I gathered from research this species is a crawler/ surface grower rather than digging it's feet into the wood. For example tree fern is a waste because it will most likely never attach. Prefers fibers bark( like husk material) and or heavily shallow grooved bark. Smooth surfaces provide no support for the roots to grip to. One of the number one causes of failure with this speices it getting the roots to establish (usually results in gluing it in place). With good humidity and light this species is not to difficult (a good indicator is if your Spanish moss is growing happy the ghost should to).
     
  9. Oct 19, 2017 #9
    John Klinger

    John Klinger Active Member Supporting Member

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    Jacob - How son do you need the bark? I know where there is some Monterey Cypress bark but will not be going to the coast for about another month. I do have some shingles that I can spare if that would work?
     
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