I think that they type of plant does make a difference, as even though they
may be epiphytes, how they array their roots differs.

For example, a vanda will be attached to a tree, but it will have dangling
roots cascading into free air. A phalaenopsis, on the other hand, will tend
to have its roots spread out along the host's bark, poking into every nook
and cranny.

Contrast that to a Polyrrhiza lindenii, which apparently does better if
suspended as you describe, rather than in close contact with a "mount".

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies. Books, Artwork, and lots of Free Info!


"K Barrett" wrote in message
. ..
This might be a stupid suggestion, but at this point is a mount really
necessary? I understand people grow Vandas without a basket or other
structure. They just support the main truck on a wire hanger and are done
with it. Perhaps the same could be done by weaving thin wire around the
rhizomes of your plant & then to a hanger?

K Barrett

"Dave Gillingham" wrote in message
...
Don't know where it started, Kathy, but you're right - it'a a popular
mount
style now. I guess its real advantage is the relative ease of replacing
the
medium when it gets too old. I have a quite large Dockrillia schoenina
on a
piece of tree limb - the roots go for feet. But the limb is now rotting
& I
can't see how to remove the orchid without destroying half its root
structure.
Now, if I had mounted it on gutter guard ....

On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 07:57:33 -0800, "K Barrett"
wrote:

That method of mounting is making its way around the globe. Being merely
sphagnum moss wrapped with gutter guard or other hardware cloth-like
material. I'm amazed to see its gotten to Oz already. I only lerned of
it
2-3 months ago. Or maybe its gotten to the West coast already, depending
on
who came up with it 'first'.

K Barrett
"Dave Gillingham" wrote in message
...
The plant was labelled B. aurantiacum, which I understand to be a
superseded
taxon, B. schillerianum being currently accepted (unless you take David
Jones's
recent major restructure, which would have it as Oxysepala
schilleriana).

It's distributed from NE Queensland to Central E NSW.
Dave Gillingham
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Dave Gillingham
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