How to Make a Mounting Board for Orchids

Considered a more natural way for most orchid species to grow, mounting boards are re-creations of how orchids thrive in the natural world, where they often grow on exposed surfaces of rock outcrops or rooted to tree limbs. Mounting boards allow you to observe the state of the entire orchid because potted orchids might be overly damp at the roots even if the pot appears dry. Create your own mounting board using cork backs or thick pieces of fallen bark.

Thick piece of bark, cork back or plywood
Small saw
Drill
Heavy wire
Twine, fishing line or acrylic yarn
Long-fiber sphagnum

Instructions

- 1
  Find a thick piece of fallen bark about 1 inch thick. Use your hands or a small saw to cut the bark so it is about 4 to 5 inches wide and 8 to 9 inches long. If you do not have access to fallen bark, use a cork sheet or small piece of plywood.
- 2
  Drill a small hole in the top of the mounting board. Thread and twist a piece of heavy wire through the hole for hanging purposes. Use a wire that is at least 4 inches long for best results.
- 3
  Use twine, fishing line or acrylic yarn to mount the orchid to the board. Place the orchid against the board first, then cover the root ball with moist, long fiber sphagnum. Rather than covering the roots completely, use the sphagnum to create a moisture reservoir to help the orchid become established. Wrap the twine or yarn over the sphagnum-covered roots and board several times to secure the roots and sphagnum to the mount. Tie the yarn or twine firmly to keep the roots and sphagnum in place to complete the orchid mounting process.

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