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Is Driftwood OK for Mounting Orchids?

Discussion in 'Growing Areas' started by paphreek, Sep 6, 2010.

  1. Sep 6, 2010 #1
    paphreek

    paphreek New Member

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    My wife, Julie found this 6 foot (2 meter) long piece years ago. It's bee sitting in the garage ever since. The log looks darker than normal because I had just finished spraying if off with water.
    ai3.photobucket.com_albums_y94_paphreek_Driftwood.jpg

    I was thinking about using it in the greenhouse to grow a group of small orchids. I'm debating as to what types of orchids to try on it. I have lots of pleurothallids I could use in a low light situation. However, with the greenhouse almost completed, I could also try some higher light plants instead. My question is three fold:

    1. Will this wood work for mounting orchids?
    2. Suggestions for low light plants
    3. Suggestions for intermediate to high light plants

    Thanks for any suggestions
    Ross
     
  2. Sep 6, 2010 #2
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Hi Ross, if it is driftwood from fresh water it would probably be fine as long as the water was relatively free of salts, alkali or pollutants. If it was from the ocean do not use it since it would be saturated with salt. What kind of wood is it and where was it found? Some wood rots relatively quick, others last a long time.
     
  3. Sep 6, 2010 #3
    paphreek

    paphreek New Member

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    It definitely came from fresh water here in northern Minnesota. Julie just reminded me that my sister gave it to her, so that most likely place of origin is Island Lake, north of Duluth, which is a reservoir on the Cloquet River that was established in 1915 to regulate water levels for power generation. A lot of the surface water is on the acidic side due to tannin leached from bogs.
     
  4. Sep 6, 2010 #4
    Jon

    Jon Mmmm... bulbophyllum...

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    Cut off a small piece of the log, and mount a not-so-special plant to it. That'll give you your answer.