mounting
a seedling on a cypress slab
the
mounting
a seedling on a cypress slab
what you'll need:
click on photo to see a close-up
) |
) |
) |
| Here is a seedling of Cattleya walkeriana, a species noted for its rambling growth habit.....perfectly suited for growing on a mount. | Remove the seedling from the pot using a lever if needed. If you have trouble removing the plant then sacrifice the pot by breaking it if it is clay, or cutting with shears if it is plastic. Remove any old, decaying potting media. | As always, sterilize your cutting tools by passing them through the flame for a couple of minutes. Remember to re-sterilize before cutting another plant. Trim away any dead roots or old flower spikes. |
) |
) |
) |
| An old toothbrush dipped in rubbing alcohol is useful for removing old sheaths and eliminating any pests that may be present. Be very careful not to damage the new growth or root tips when scrubbing the pseudobulbs. | Use a drill and an appropriate bit to drill a centered hole near one end of the cypress slab. With a pair of pliers, fashion a short piece of 12 or 14 gauge galvanized wire into a s-shaped hanger. | A little wad of dampened sphagnum or osmunda can provide additional moisture while the plant gets established. Place the orchid near the bottom so that the newest growth is facing the top of the mount. |
) |
there are many other techniques for growing orchids on mounts and in baskets... choose from the following topics ------> |
|
| Use plastic-coated twist tie material or wire to fasten the orchid to the piece of cypress. The orchid must be anchored firmly in order for it to establish itself on the mount. |
© 2009 AMERICAN ORCHID SOCIETY - WWW.AOS.ORG - PROTECTED BY DIGIMARC