I purchased some cocoanut fiber squares and rectangles for mounts as
alternatives for fern slabs. So far I've tried Sarcochilus hartmanii, Epi
parkinsonianum and a few others with fair success. I've found 2 main
problems. One- the comparatively flimsy structure doesn't maintain it's
shape and may curl allowing unestablished specimens to fall from the mount.
Two- hanging the mount leads to progressive tearing of the fiber which I've
solved, somewhat, by winding small guage wire along the edge of the mounting
hole. I haven't experimented much with solving #1. Has anyone come up with a
solution for this short of simply not using the medium? I'm not against fern
as a mounting medium, just thought I'd try the cocoanut fiber as an
alternative.
Gary

How about spreading a thick layer of clear silicone glue on a thin board,
and sticking the back of the coco fiber mat to it?

--

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

.. . . . . . . . . . .
"V_coerulea" wrote in message
...
I purchased some cocoanut fiber squares and rectangles for mounts as
alternatives for fern slabs. So far I've tried Sarcochilus hartmanii, Epi
parkinsonianum and a few others with fair success. I've found 2 main
problems. One- the comparatively flimsy structure doesn't maintain it's
shape and may curl allowing unestablished specimens to fall from the
mount.
Two- hanging the mount leads to progressive tearing of the fiber which
I've
solved, somewhat, by winding small guage wire along the edge of the
mounting
hole. I haven't experimented much with solving #1. Has anyone come up with
a
solution for this short of simply not using the medium? I'm not against
fern
as a mounting medium, just thought I'd try the cocoanut fiber as an
alternative.
Gary

Sounds like a real pain in the neck. Maybe using gutter guard to encase the
coconut? Like a sleeve stuffed with coconut? Might be ugly at first, till
the orchid gets so happy it totally covers the mount... (*G*)

K Barrett

"V_coerulea" wrote in message
...
I purchased some cocoanut fiber squares and rectangles for mounts as
alternatives for fern slabs. So far I've tried Sarcochilus hartmanii, Epi
parkinsonianum and a few others with fair success. I've found 2 main
problems. One- the comparatively flimsy structure doesn't maintain it's
shape and may curl allowing unestablished specimens to fall from the
mount.
Two- hanging the mount leads to progressive tearing of the fiber which
I've
solved, somewhat, by winding small guage wire along the edge of the
mounting
hole. I haven't experimented much with solving #1. Has anyone come up with
a
solution for this short of simply not using the medium? I'm not against
fern
as a mounting medium, just thought I'd try the cocoanut fiber as an
alternative.
Gary

"Ray" wrote in message ...
How about spreading a thick layer of clear silicone glue on a thin board,
and sticking the back of the coco fiber mat to it?

--

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

. . . . . . . . . . .
"V_coerulea" wrote in message
...
I purchased some cocoanut fiber squares and rectangles for mounts as
alternatives for fern slabs. So far I've tried Sarcochilus hartmanii, Epi
parkinsonianum and a few others with fair success. I've found 2 main
problems. One- the comparatively flimsy structure doesn't maintain it's
shape and may curl allowing unestablished specimens to fall from the
mount.
Two- hanging the mount leads to progressive tearing of the fiber which
I've
solved, somewhat, by winding small guage wire along the edge of the
mounting
hole. I haven't experimented much with solving #1. Has anyone come up with
a
solution for this short of simply not using the medium? I'm not against
fern
as a mounting medium, just thought I'd try the cocoanut fiber as an
alternative.
Gary



Ray has an excellent suggestion. Untreated cedar roofing shakes would
be good candidates for the backing. They will last for years.


J. Del Col





J. Del Col

"J. Del Col" wrote in message
m...
"Ray" wrote in message
...
How about spreading a thick layer of clear silicone glue on a thin
board,
and sticking the back of the coco fiber mat to it?

--

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

. . . . . . . . . . .
"V_coerulea" wrote in message
...
I purchased some cocoanut fiber squares and rectangles for mounts as
alternatives for fern slabs. So far I've tried Sarcochilus hartmanii,
Epi
parkinsonianum and a few others with fair success. I've found 2 main
problems. One- the comparatively flimsy structure doesn't maintain
it's
shape and may curl allowing unestablished specimens to fall from the
mount.
Two- hanging the mount leads to progressive tearing of the fiber which
I've
solved, somewhat, by winding small guage wire along the edge of the
mounting
hole. I haven't experimented much with solving #1. Has anyone come up
with
a
solution for this short of simply not using the medium? I'm not
against
fern
as a mounting medium, just thought I'd try the cocoanut fiber as an
alternative.
Gary



Ray has an excellent suggestion. Untreated cedar roofing shakes would
be good candidates for the backing. They will last for years.


J. Del Col





J. Del Col

Sounds like a great idea! Thanks.
Gary