Mounting Tampa butterfly orchid (Encyclia tampensis)

In this video, I explain how to mount a Florida native plant, the Tampa butterfly orchid (Encyclia tampensis) on a cedar board and on a tree branch using rubber bands and sphagnum moss. The Encyclia seedlings were generated from seeds and it will take a few years for them to be large enough to flower.
If you are interested in purchasing the rubber bands described in this video from Amazon, go to:
www.amazon.com...

[@alessandrodesouza4856]

9:32
Aqui, quando utilizo uma larga peça de madeira como estas que você nos mostra, costumo fazer vários furos na placa e emprego, para fixar o esfagno e a planta, abraçadeiras de nylon (ou lacre plástico). São perfeitas, promovem uma fixação bem resistentente.
Mas apreciei também sua dica com elástico.

[@plantpropagator]

Thanks for your comment. Most people do use plastic zip ties to mount their orchids. I do not like those because they restrict growth and degrade very slowly. I came up with this new method because it is really easy to do and the rubber band is also easy to remove.

[@ambergreen6714]

I have lots of seeds I need to know what to do. I wanna put in parks

[@moot8107]

@Amber Green would you be willing to share some of those seeds? I like in FL and can pay for shipping

[@melodeedestefano7373]

I just got one from R and R , it was doing great and I came home from work today and it dropped a leaf
I think it got too much sun. I have it in the house by a sunny window. Wondering if I should shade it
It’s very tiny the blooms are like so small on the spikes one bud looks dark now I hope they don’t all blast. I got it in an airy plastic pot with a tiny but if bark at the bottom
Need tips

[@plantpropagator]

Thanks for watching my video and for the comment. It is very tough to diagnose a problem through this format. It is not unusual for orchids to occasionally lose leaves. If you have this orchid in your house in a window, that may differ from the environment where it was previously grown. These orchids like bright indirect sunlight and high humidity/temperatures. I am sorry that I cannot better assist you.

[@dparc1240]

Does the root system of the tampensis orchid allow it to grow indefinitely on the cedar wood or will you eventually have to transfer it to a larger piece of wood? Enjoyed watching your video.

[@plantpropagator]

Thanks for your comment - tampensis plants can get very large, if they are mounted on a tree or large piece of wood. I have seen plants that are 1-2 ft across - they obviously cannot grow that large on a small piece of wood. But, they adapt and will grow to whatever size they can pending location and water availability. Since they are so slow growing, it will take a while for a seedling to cover even a small piece of wood. Large plants are likely 10-20 years or more old.Thanks for watching.

[@dparc1240]

@@plantpropagator Thank you

[@JuliusReels]

How long about does it take for the orchid’s roots to mount into self to the wood?

[@plantpropagator]

It can take 6 months to a year or more for the orchid to be firmly attached to the wood. It seems that the roots of the butterfly orchid grow in spurts, with no growth for a while and then a surge in growth. When the plant is growing well, numerous roots will grow a few inches in a month. Then, the orchid seems to rest. Thanks for watching and for the question.

[@chulisnaquis65]

Hi, Where can I get the wood? I live in Deltona, Fl or what kind of wood it is. Thanks

[@plantpropagator]

Thanks for watching - I use cedar for mounting. You can use any wood that is somewhat weather resistant. Cedar is readily available at Lowes and Home Depot - you can buy the board and cut to length - the rougher the cut, the better so that the roots have something to grab on to. If you really want to be economical, you can find cedar landscape edging, which contains small pieces of roughcut cedar that you can use without cutting. I do not like that as much because the pieces are a little small for me but others like using it. I hope this helps!