What is your greatest sacrifice for your orchid.

[Tom-19951]

How do walnut branches work for mounting(orchids). Matt? Do you take the bark off? I am assuming the branches are long lasting but do the plants like them? There are some wild walnut trees here and I have been thinking about using them for mounting... Thank you in advance.

Edit--send me PM for this if you like.

[mauraec]

Well, I haven't given up my first-born, but as for just about everything else....

[Tom-19951]

Okay, besides I have to sleep with the bitch(don't get offended here, it is my dog), I also traded both of my grandmothers for a lousy hybrid Phal.

[mykidschids]

Hi All,

Could you please share your story of your sacrifice on your plants, example how you bought them, protect them or rescue them?

My story was when there is a typhoon in our country that I went out in the middle of my work and travel while the storm is surging just to get home because a coconut tree fell on my babies.

Hi Jeffrey, my kababayan. It's nice meeting you here. I'm from the Visayas. Good job!!!!! You are brave. I love my orchids but I don't think I would risk myself like that. I remember how it's like when there's a typhoon. I miss my orchids though some of my collections were from when I was 9 years old.

[maryv]

Well, in my case I actually decided to remove all my little banana plants after one gave me my first crop of tasty bananas.(What joy that was, for Xmas). The baby plants insisted on growing back but I had to be hard-hearted again(I did give to friends to plant them though, so I am not cruel). I have very little sunlight for my dendrobiums and had to make a hard choice, Banana plantation or Orchids in my small garden. The Orchids won!

[mykidschids]

In my case I have not bought anything for my self lately like new clothes, since I wear scrubs to work anyway. So,all my purchases online are orchids to add to my collections. I call my orchids "green kids" and they are in my bedroom since it's the only place in the house where there is good amount of sunlight.

[HHLL38]

I would say my biggest sacrifice has been about half of my paycheck every week.

[opaline]

@ Tom - Over here while walnut trees grow in certain parts (they dont fruit) the damp cold or humid when warm is not good and the longevity suffers as rot win the battle. However this is easily remedied when mothernature has determined its fate and us creative types get stuck in.

i have left bark on, its deep crevices serve well and look good. My waterdragon enclosure (rainforest setup) is still furnished with walnut branches though steadily declines obviously, since 2005-6 due to high humidity. My bearded dragon enclosure (dessert set up) branches still as new ( well still as when tree surgeon wapped his chainsaw through it!) - no decline.

with the assessment of your own grow area conditions aside, there was no signs of toxicity to plants as roots clinged to wood. My orchid walnut solo mounts have been remounted to larger pieces due to growth and mount deterioation (am using specialist tropical aquarium wood/pieces now). It holds water well but constant moisture reduces life compared to cork bark. The mycelium of whatever fungi native by you/ growing by you (unless urs a hot/dry climate) will be sure to spring to life in cultivation. I would imagine spreading the spawn of oyster mushrooms etc (& other edibles) would look fantastic.

If anything I would conclude that any epiphyte species of plants that like a drier less constant moisture situ like oncids would suit ideally when using walnut as mounts. Wood/bark looks great. Many bromeliads would suit as their root ball can be side lined and the funnel used for its care. The moisture holding properties of walnut not good for tillandsia (air plants) or epiphyllums ( these are very vulnerable to pathogens and would pick up infection in a bottle of bleach). Moss not required as pad for mounting as walnut retains moisture under bark in its cork/ tissues (depending on grow situ ofcourse).

I have always picked up and used/recycled loads of organic medias from wild or friends gardens. It is only the disinfection/ sterilization process that i have reassessed and improved avoiding chemicals. I adore those wind storm tree breakages that are covered in lichens and mosses.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

I think it would be easier to list the things I haven't sacrificed for my orchids. Never battled a typhoon, but extreme heat and extreme cold - you bet. (BTW really like this thread. )

cheers,
BD

[Ania]

Matt,

I took some pictures for you. I have the tree wedged in a large pot with a couple of stones and a couple of potted vanilla orchids. I am hoping the vines will eventually climb all over it. Magnolia wood doesn't have any smell that I can detect. I like the bark on it and is holding up good so far.