mounting your orchid

[Tindomul1of9]

Bad news. My Masdevallia which I mounted has dropped all its leaves. 20+ leaves!!!! Actually one is left, but its yellow with a brown stalk.
The plant still has some tiny green buds that look like it might become a new leaf, so Im hopefull its just throwing a fit.

[Ania]

Sorry to hear that...Those Masdevallias are so sensitive. As log as you see some green buds it might still suprise you and come back to life. Fingers crossed.

A

[etothex]

Great thread guys I love all the info. The best thing for me was to start mounting and I just found the stuff that worked the best for me and my plants.
fishing line
green moss
wood I find any where, that is au natural. Although I do have this one mount....this is an older pic it has been refined

[Hoa Tony Nguyen]

Hi Tindo,
Sorry to hear that. But I think that you gain a valuable experience here. NO NEED to glue the plant into the mount. Just tie the plant onto the mount on top of some moss and water the plant like there is no tomorrow. Just like what Kevin said. I did many mounts myself, mostly laelias, miniature catts, brassavolas, dends, ... but I have never tried the Masdies so I don't know ...
Cheers. Hoa.

[Piper]

I like that, Kevin - it's very attractive, and unusual! What's the plant? I can't tell if it's a tiny Masd. or a huge Catt...

Julie

[etothex]

I like that, Kevin - it's very attractive, and unusual! What's the plant? I can't tell if it's a tiny Masd. or a huge Catt...

Julie

It is actually a bulbo. Acutebracteatum(sp.) It is on a wood carved hand. I dont know i think the wood is treated though not doing so hot. It is a small creeper.

[Tindomul1of9]

etothex, thats a nice mount!
I'm starting to learn my orchids! I was able to guess the right genus!!!

As for my mount, I still see green buds, crossing fingers here! And yes, I made that poor Masdy's life a living hell for three days after mounting. I just left it high and dry for three days so the silicone could dry.
So thats a no-no, putting that down on my list of what not to do.

[Tmai]

Julie, your "what where when and how" post is great. Couple of questions: (I get the impression that) oncidiinae would also do well mounted? Got one of those "buy one get an "I don't know what it is but it's free!!!) orchids. Would it prefer a heavier spag mount on the wood? It will be outdoors in FL.

And: How do you leach salts from marine driftwood? I have several pieces that have been outside and off the beach for 10+ years. What would I need to do to make them "orchid mount-worthy"? Googled "leach" and got some WEIRD stuff. Thought I'd beta ask some folk who know.

Please put ya'll orchid stuff on ma ayr make be happy fleurs!
Thanks,
Tmai

[Piper]

Hi Tmai,

The Onc. alliance would do well mounted/outside, where you live, provided you don't have one of the critters that likes cooler temps. That wouldn't work at all!

Mind you, I've just spent a good part of my afternoon unmounting a fellow that I've had for some time, so mounting and I are oh gosh, I really want to say "odd bed fellows" at the moment, but I just can't bring myself to it! Let's just say, I'm sensitive to the topic...

The way to test mounting materials is to soak them. It require a handheld device to measure either pH or TDS (total dissolved solids). What you do is measure the pH or TDS of the water you're going to use to soak (right out of the hose or tap). Then fill a container and soak the mount. Then after whatever time you soak - 6-12-24 hrs, say, remove the item and retest the soak water. If there's a big change in pH or TDS, repeat as needed.

I'm hunting down affordable TDS and pH meters for myself. I'll let you know when I can recommend sources. For what we're looking at, a pH or TDS meter should be about $30-50. There are combo ones out there for close to $200 bucks, but you don't need those.

I've got a couple of fertilizer posts I'll be putting up this weekend, where I'll get into it all more, but this hopefully answers your question.

Julie

[Tmai]

Thanks for the info, Julie. What about using an aquarium pH tester for acid/alkilinity? From our local water service well report our TDS in this area is running about 50-60 ppm. How do the two interact? If pH is normal will the TDS be acceptable?
Ummm....er....good luck on the "unmounting"? Or is "best wishes to you and your odd bedfellow" more in order?
Looking forward to your fertilizer post - I think I posted a few full of fertilizer myself!
Tmai