Cork bark is a favorite mount for orchids and other epiphytes. It mimics the bark these plants cling to in the wild, it drains fast, and it lasts for years. Here is a simple way to mount an orchid on cork.
What you need
A flat piece of cork bark, a healthy bare root orchid, a small amount of sphagnum moss, and some fishing line or plant ties. A hook or wire on the back makes it easy to hang later.
Step by step
Place a thin pad of damp moss where the roots will sit. Set the orchid on top with the roots spread against the bark. Wrap fishing line gently around the roots and the cork to hold everything in place. Do not bury the crown, and keep the wrapping snug but not tight.
Care after mounting
Mounted orchids dry out faster than potted ones, so plan to mist or dunk them more often. Bright indirect light and good airflow keep the roots healthy. Within a few weeks new roots should start gripping the cork on their own.
Why cork over other mounts
Cork resists rot in the constant moisture that mounts deal with, and it does not break down the way tree fern or untreated wood can. One cork flat can hold an orchid for many years.
Cork flats and panels both work well for mounting. Pick a size that gives the roots room to spread, and you are set.
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