New Mounted Plants
      at Discounted Prices

This month we offer six new plants for sale, all species orchids.  They are all mounted on cedar planks.  The more you buy, the more you save per plant. 

If you buy six of them you pay only $11.00 per
plant plus shipping and handling!  Check out Leptotes bicolor (pictured above) and the other five offerings by clicking on a photo or on the link below:

                       May Special Offering

 

 Orchid growing can a very rewarding and beautiful hobby.  It can also be very challenging trying to find the perfect conditions to best grow each variety.  Here at Oak Hill Gardens, we grow over 1000 varieties.  this has proven to be very difficult at times, due to the wide variety that we carry.  This trick is to understand the specific requirements of each species. 

We have found that some orchids grow best on mounts (or plaques).  We mount the orchids on cedar planks by first surrounding the roots with sphagnum moss and then attaching the plant to the wood by wrapping the moss and the plank together with fishing line.  Cedar is used because it is a dense and durable wood that does not decay easily (cedar is used for roof shingles for this reason). 

By mounting the orchids, the roots are more exposed to the air and they dry out more quickly after watering.  Mounting better emulates an epiphytic (grows on a tree) orchid's natural habitat.  Many miniatures and species that we carry grow better this way versus in a pot.  When potted, roots are more confined and more moisture stays in contact with the roots.  Not every orchid is easy to grow on a mount; on the other hand, some only grow well for us when mounted!  Each variety is different and we try to create the growing environment that will make each specific variety grow to it's fullest potential.

Most of the mounted plants we carry (with the exception of the mounted Phalaenopsis) prefer to dry out thoroughly between watering.  We wait until the moss surrounding the roots becomes "crunchy dry" - then we soak in the moss in water to thoroughly moisten the moss ("spritzing" will not provide the soaking that is necessary, so use a fire hose!).  This drying-out process may take 2 days or 4-5 days, depending on the season and how much humidity is in the air.  The moss should not be kept moist constantly or the orchid roots will rot. 

Misting your mounted orchids on sunny, dry days will help keep the humidity higher.  Small terrariums, old fish tanks or "Orchidariums" also work nicely for mounted orchids, although they are not necessary.

If you do not have a place to hang the mounted orchids, you may place them inside of a clay pot to help them "stand up."  You can also hang them on the pot edges of your larger orchids, or can get creative with a free-standing "earring rack" or spice rack.  Hardware wire and a frame is an easy and quick construction project for all but the worst of the tool-challenged out there!

Many of the varieties we list only come mounted, because that is the way they grow best for us.  If you prefer them potted, simply cut the fishing line and gently remove the plant and moss from the wood plank.  Then remove the moss and pot up the plant into your preferred media.

Growing mounted orchids can greatly increase the varieties tha you can successfully grow.  They do require a bit more watering, and you do still have to add fresh moss to the roots every few years.  

The easiest varieties to try would be the Tolumnias, Brassavolas, Dendrobiums, Angraecums, and anything with a pseudobulb and/or thick, fleshy leaves.  The softer-leaved orchids need a bit more humidty and moisture to thrive well on mounts. 

Try a mounted orchid today - enhance your enjoyment of the growing hobby!

Good luck and Happy Growing,
Liese