cattleya - preferred growth direction

[IdahoOrchid]

Do catts an similar prefer to grow UP or DOWN the piece they are mounted on?

[Ron-NY]

Do catts an similar prefer to grow UP or DOWN the piece they are mounted on?

for the most part up or to the side

[IdahoOrchid]

for the most part up or to the side

So best to plant at the bottom and let it grow UP.

This is a piece of wood that my mother-in-law gave to me for my birthday many years ago after I mentioned how much I like it. I think she got it from her father. He collected pieces like this and usually finished them with varnish. He died before he could do this one.

Anyway, it is special for that reason, plus....

I want to mount the orchid that I recently got named after my (recently deceased) mother on it.

There may even be enough new leads to get one growing up each side.

[lyngarc]

Steve - how is your cattleya doing on this piece of wood? That's a very piece of wood - is it free-standing?

[IdahoOrchid]

Steve - how is your cattleya doing on this piece of wood? That's a very piece of wood - is it free-standing?

I have not moved it yet. It does have a couple of new growths putting out new roots so I guess this would be the ideal time. Although my nodosa is doing fairly well, I am just a little concerned about our VERY low humidity.

[mtequine]

I have a stick mounted B. nodosa and would have thought I'd have lost it by now in MT and now dryer CO..but it's actually quite happy (has a bit of sphag around the roots). I give it a good soak once a week and then water once or twice a week (twice here in CO) and it's shooting out new growth and dare I saw looks like it might bloom soon? I don't have a clue what my relative humidity is in my house, but I can guarantee it's DRY....for whatever this is worth!

I have not moved it yet. It does have a couple of new growths putting out new roots so I guess this would be the ideal time. Although my nodosa is doing fairly well, I am just a little concerned about our VERY low humidity.

[Shaydra]

Oh wow. That will look really great, I'd bet! Can't wait to see the finished product.

[wetfeet101b]

That is a very beautiful peace.

*IF* you are Catholic, I can see a very nice orchid/religious ensemble in that wood.
Mount the cattleyas on the outside edge of the wood, start from the bottom.
Then carve the interior a little bit to make room for a religious figure/statue.
After a couple of years, you now have a religious grotto surrounded by blooming cattleyas.
It could apply to other religions as well, if they use any religious representations.

Or perhaps a commemorative plaque for a dear relative instead of a religious figure.

The shape of the driftwood really causes the viewer to think that something significant needs to be in the core of that wood.

~John

[clintdawley]

Well, I'm pagan and I see the Virgin Mary's cowl.

That is a very beautiful peace.

*IF* you are Catholic, I can see a very nice orchid/religious ensemble in that wood.

[Diane]

Hmm. I'm protestant and I see a ghost standing at the end of a tunnel...