Phal mounting options

[moniluhum]

I have a mini phal in clay pot that I would like to mount because I think it is difficult to water in a way to avoid possible rot.

[raybark]

Looks to me like that's not "a" mini-phal, but is actually a community pot containing many plants that should be potted or mounted individually, which actually gives you the opportunity to experiment, and find "just what's right" for you.

What I suggest is that you soak the pot as a whole to make it easier to extract the individual plants, then splay the roots of a plant on the mount about 1/3 of the way down from the top, cover the roots with sphagnum (don't put it under the roots, or they'll grow into that, rather than attaching to the mount), and find a way to anchor them to the mount.

There are a number of ways to achieve that, and I have wrapped monofilament fishing line around and around, used pieces of old panty hose, or put another layer of coconut husk fiber over the sphagnum and stapled it to the mount.

[JDT]

I would agree with Ray!

[moniluhum]

So eirther mount would be okay for mounting a phal?

[raybark]

So eirther mount would be okay for mounting a phal?

Monica, you can mount it on the sole of an old shoe if you want to! This is another case of "how you do it" affecting the amount of care you're going to have to give it moving forward.

Neither cork bark nor tree fern absorb a great deal of water, so once mounted, either one is going to need to be watered at least daily. As I said earlier, why not try one plant on each and see what works better for you?

[moniluhum]

Thanks Ray! I do also have and old shoe I am considering. Just kidding.

[Kauaiguy]

Thanks Ray! I do also have and old shoe I am considering. Just kidding.

.. and don't forget the Panty Hose! But I just broke up with my girlfriend, so there goes that option! LOL!

What I didn't know is that you have to water a mounted orchid daily. I guess here in Kauai, I don't have that problem if I keep it outside since it rains early mornings 95% of the time. I just ordered some large cork bark ... so let's see what happens.

[Chris in Hamilton]

I don't have that problem if I keep it outside since it rains early mornings 95% of the time. I just ordered some large cork bark ... so let's see what happens.

LOL I would seriously consider giving my left arm for your climate.

[raybark]

LOL I would seriously consider giving my left arm for your climate.

No kidding...

[Chris in Hamilton]

No kidding...

Sounds like things are getting nasty in your part of the world too. We have had 1.8 centimeters (.71 ") of rain since the 1st of June and not expecting any for at least another week. Tomorrow the thermometer is supposed to hit 33c and feel like 43c (109F) I have a small collection of mini roses. The flowers look almost normal but yesterday afternoon I squeezed one and it made a sound like crushing rice cereal and disintegrated. Nothing like some parts of the world of course but geesh!