As one of those who doesn't like cork....I have a very hard time getting the roots to attach to the cork, and they dry out way too fast for me. I've lost probably a half dozen orchids that I tried mounting to cork. I even gave away the pieces I had and swore NO MORE!

That being said, as I've learned in the interim, it was probably MY error in not watering them often enough. Now that I'm a little more knowledgeable, I would consider trying again...though my newest 'thing' is potting them in hanging wire baskets (the kind you get at Dollar Tree for a buck, with the cocofiber liners.) as I tried a few of those last year and the orchids are VERY HAPPY!

Elaine has suggested mounting horizontally instead of vertically, and I have not tried that.

Patty, I think you hit the nail squarely on the head. Mounted orchids, orchids growing in more air than media, and orchids growing in mesh-pots/baskets do need more frequent watering, particularly when they are either seedlings or just starting out their lives as mounted plants. The wood type means absolutely nothing. Once an orchid is more mature and/or has rooted really well on that mount, care is reduced. That's been my experience.

Patty, I imagine you saw all the pictures I posted last month of a dozen or so really well-rooted mounted orchids. Those took 6-12 months to get that way. I have so many plants that I'm always watering something. Thus, watering is no problem for me. That being said, if I were not retired, I could not grow the number of plants that I do. No way. So, a lot of what I recommend is based on the time available to care for the plant(s). Some people just want to have plants grow with no effort whatsoever. Heck, I have had people kill staghorns and fiddle leaf ficus plants......... well established plants. Those two varieties are almost impossible to kill but they managed to do so. The most common thread was lack of water, not over-watering. Most plants will actually "tell" you when they need water. One simply needs a bit of experience to recognize their plants' stress-levels.

Thanks all for educating me on that topic...I've got my clay pot routine down pretty well..and feel comfortable that I could leave town for a few days..and everyone would be fine even if there were no rains..I may change my tune if we get weeks and months of monsoon rain..( I should ask Kathy again where she got her clear tarps with grommet holes ..just in case )

Not quite as glamorous as the ones you all have been posting but.... Bulbophyllum blumei, very sweet just the same. And two buds to go. I got him at the Sacramento Orchid Show last April.



Daisy

I love her, Daisy.

Oh, I like that! And certainly much glamorous!!

That's beautiful Daisy! I think it'a very glamorous!

I love the bulbo's and got 4 or 5 new ones recently.... no where near blooming size though! I have a noid one that I've had for years and it bloomed for me just once in all these years. I love the 'buggy' look of some of them! Now I have to see if I can find the picture of mine....

Found it! This was the bloom in 2011...hasn't bloomed since.

Don't you love Bulbophyllum flowers? All weird. That one is really good looking. Better figure out what you did right in 2011.

I DO love them! I wish I knew what kind that was. I have no idea what I did right that year...it's still in exactly the same spot getting the exact same care...who knows?!

Patty, take a look at Bulbophyllum or Cirrhopetalum fascinator, does this look close in coloration?

You beat me to it, Ursula. Bulbo fascinator was my 1st bulbo and this one is really very nice, Patty. I think it is a specie but at one time I had it labeled as a hybrid.

Roberta, I have Cirrhopetalum putidum, which is very similar. It usually blooms in late Summer for me.
Neat blooms! I get a kick out of that hinged lip! Flies come around and want to play with those doodaflatchies, step on the lip and get thrown at the column, dislodging pollinia.

I'm pretty sure it is Bulb. fascinator. Here is a picture of mine: Bulbos like to be kept wet. If you ever want to use moss to grow an orchid, this is the one.


I have some catching up to do but I took 8 orchids to the Tampa Bay Orchid Society show and sale today and registered them for judging. The show starts tomorrow. Here is what I entered:
Cattlianthe Siamese Doll (Cattlianthe Netrasiri Doll x Cattleya Netrasiri Beauty)


Myrmecatavola Frances Fox (Brassocattleya Polka Dot x Myrmecophila tibicinis)


Epidendrum stamfordianum


Miltonidium Robin Pittman (Miltonia spectabilis x Oncidium Les Landes)


Dendrobium Little Atro (Dendrobium normanbyense x Dendrobium atroviolaceum)


Encyclia Hunty's Heartburn (Encyclia naranjapatensis x Encyclia alata)


Cattlianthe Eva 'Poppy' HCC/AOS (Guarianthe aurantiaca x Cattleya cinnabarina)


Myrmecophila wendlandii


That's it for my show plants. It's good to be back with you.

Jim

Wow, you've got the flowers going on there Jim! That wendlandii is really interesting, but . .. are the lips all upside-down? (just kidding) That's a neat configuration on the flower and beautiful colors.

I agree! The wendlandii is very interesting!
Gorgeous show, Jim! You have a whole lot of beauties there in display!

That Wendlandii is really interesting.

You did an excellent job catching up, Jim.

Jim, I am rooting for your 'Siamese Doll'...or 'Poppy'...love them both !

Doodaflatchies? Is that a word?