Re: orchid help

Hi, I grow a lot of my orchids and epiphytes on bark.  I'm assuming it  is 
cork bark?  Roots covering the bark is fine, and exactly what it is  meant to 
do, as in nature.  Epiphytes gain their moisture and  nutrients from the air on 
the entire plant, using their roots more to  anchor the plant than anything 
else.  If the orchid plant itself...not just  the roots have covered the entire 
bark, you can take off divisions, and mount on  a new piece of bark, or put in 
an orchid basket with orchid bark mix.   However, it will not hurt the plant 
if you leave it alone.  In fact  I would suggest this.  
 
If it were a Staghorn fern, larger growing bromeliad or such, then I  would 
suggest mounting the old bark onto a newer larger bark, but in the case of  an 
orchid, this is not necessary.  Most epiphytes can be left alone, with  pups 
or divisions taken off.  
 
Make sure that you have plenty of air circulation, humidity and bright  
light, but not direct sun....and it will be very happy.  These are my  favorite 
types of plants to grow, least amount of maintenance, and using least  amount of 
space.
 
Noreen
zone 9
Texas Gulf Coast
 
In a message dated 4/27/2005 11:02:35 PM Central Standard Time,  
gardenchat-owner@hort.net writes:

I  purchased a L.
> Purpurata Werkhauser mounted on a piece  of  bark.  The bark  is about
> 6inches..   the
>  roots  are well mounted in the bark.  My   question is now what  do I do...
> Do I
> find a larger  bark?  Can someone   steer me to a place that will teach  me
> about the care?  This is  my  first  time with  an orchid.

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