To Mount or To Pot: The Great Debate

To Mount or To Pot: The Great Debate

When you bring home a new orchid, one of the first decisions you face is how to house it. During our live session, a lively debate erupted in the chat regarding the best method for growing epiphytic orchids. While some collectors find mounting a challenge due to dry climates, others swear by the mantra: 'Mount them, mount them, mount them!'

The choice between mounting (attaching the plant to a substrate like cork) and potting depends entirely on your environment and your lifestyle. Neither is wrong, but one will certainly be easier for you to manage than the other.

The Case for Mounting Orchids

Mounting is perhaps the most natural way to grow many orchid species. In the wild, most orchids are epiphytes, meaning they grow on trees with their roots exposed to the air and rain. Mounting provides several benefits:

1. Superior Drainage: It is nearly impossible to overwater a mounted orchid. The water runs right off, and the roots dry quickly, mimicking the orchid's natural habitat.

2. Aesthetic Appeal: A mounted orchid, perhaps on a large piece of cork bark, creates a stunning, naturalistic look that fits perfectly in a 'jungle-style' home aesthetic.

3. Root Health: Airflow around the roots is maximized, which is a major deterrent for the root rot often caused by soggy potting media.

However, as pointed out by community members, mounting requires a commitment to high humidity and frequent watering. If you live in a dry area like Utah, or if you don’t have time to water daily, mounting might lead to dehydrated plants. Some orchids do not want to dry out fully, and you should avoid mounting any that prefer consistent moisture. 

When Potting Is the Right Choice

Potting is the practical solution for many indoor growers and those with busy schedules. In our transcript, a viewer specifically asked, 'What if I want to pot it?' because they didn't have the time for daily watering.

Potting or using a traditional container allows the medium (organic, like bark or moss, or inorganic, like charcoal and Leca) to hold onto moisture for a longer period. This means you might only need to water once or twice a week rather than every morning. For growers in less humid environments, a pot acts as a localized humidity chamber, protecting the roots from drying out too quickly.

Professional Tips for Orchid Success

Whether you choose to pot or mount, our recent session highlighted a few specific species and hybrids that are currently making waves:

• C. aclandiae: This is a prime candidate for the 'mount it' enthusiasts, as its growth habit often favors the airiness of a mount, though it can be pot-grown with very coarse media.
• C. purpurata: A favorite for its 'full bloom' status. This species does not like to dry out and prefers to have "wet-feet". Pot these for the best results.

Material Sourcing for Your Project

If you decide to try mounting, you will need the right materials. A common question during the live sale was whether a 'larger size cork' is available. Using larger pieces of cork bark allows the orchid more room to crawl and attach over several years, reducing the need for future 're-mounting,' which can be stressful for the plant's root system.

Ultimately, your choice should be based on your 'watering bandwidth.' If you enjoy the daily ritual of misting and watering, go for the mount. If you prefer a more set-it-and-forget-it approach for the week, stick to potting with a high-quality orchid mix.