Sounds like a good plan, Kathy!

I made another wrong turn on my way home from the supermarket today and found myself in front of Phelps' Orchid Farm greenhouses. The purpose was to inquire about using wood for orchid mounts, at least that is what I was telling myself at the time. The advise I was given was to avoid pine and eucalyptus. Grape vine, cork, fruit wood, cypress and bottle brush were the best. I asked specifically about cedar and was told that cedar shake shingles make great mounts but I should avoid aromatic cedar.

I soon spotted a huge Schomburgkia (now Myrmecophila) tibicinis mounted on a 3 foot piece of grape vine. It was just beautiful but they wouldn't budge from $100. I finally managed to talk my way into a $25 cutting from it and I did get about a quarter of the plant. I already have it mounted and hanging out in the OC. To understand why I am so excited, check this out: http://forums.gardenweb.com/fo.... A small but healthy looking Epc. Rene Marques 'Tyler' jumped into the truck at the last minute. They had a big one in full bloom and it is lovely. Here is the bloom: http://www.rv-orchidworks.com/...

I'll have pics tomorrow.

Jim

Interesting regarding the different kinds of wood for mounting - I had mounted my Rhyncholaelia digbyana on a good Blueberry branch which was really weather proofed. The plant has been growing a lot of fresh roots right onto the wood. ( We have a lot of Blueberry bushes at our place in Pennsy and there is never a shortage of wood.)

I like your choice of plants. I have the Epic Rene Marques 'Flame Thrower' , I just posted it this week. They make nice tall plants and the blooms have an interesting structure and color.

Here is something a little different. While at Phelps the other day, I spotted this piece of bamboo hanging from a tree by the front porch. It is about 5 inches in diameter and 3 feet long. As you can see, they cut rounded sections out in the hollow areas and drilled holes in the back for drainage. It looks like you could put four small plants in there and let them dangle all over each other. I thought it was a great idea.

Jim

Neat.

It is. Reminds me of Cholla wood.