This week I bought myself some birthday orchids from OakHill. Great plants,
great service, great value.....

Side story...I ordered a Bulb. phalaenopsis on a mount for $12.00. Now I
didn't expect much at that price and these get to be several feet long
leaves. I had to chuckle when I took it out of the wrapping. It was a
cute small seedling that will be several years before I can "enjoy" the
fragrance of rotting meat in my greenhouse. Even stinky monsters start out
as tiny babies!

Ok...back on topic now. They seem to use grape wood for many of their
mounts. Most of the mounted stuff I've bought from OakHill has been smaller
stuff and the grape vine is no bigger than my little finger around.

So now to my questions....

If you use grape vine for mounts should you let it age/dry for a while? I
have lots of wild stuff killing the trees and could get some nice pieces to
use but I know it oozes sap for a while when you cut fresh grape.

What other native hardwoods make good mounts?

I have an oak branch with a Phal equestris that I mounted the keikis on
about 3 or 4 years ago that seems to be doing well. Occassionally, I get a
shelf mushroom forming on the end and just break them off.

I know dogwood is very hard and when I prune, difficult to cut. Has anyone
tried dogwood for a mount?

Lilac and Crepe Myrtle both are also really tough to cut when I prune. I
would think they would do well.

Any growers of mounted plants want to weigh in on this topic?

Good Growing,
Gene