Highlights from our January 2013 meeting
There was an impressive turnout for our January meeting with many members bringing spectacular orchids for the bench.
New president Taran Card gave a hands-on demonstration on mounting orchids into coconut half-shells. He used coconuts that haven't germinated, cut them in half with a machete or split them in half with hammer and chisel.
He explained that weeping Dendrobiums can be mounted with the help of wire which he looped around the plants and inserted the ends into the half shell. The ends of wires were secured by turning them 180 degrees back and pressing them into the outside of the shell.
To finish the mounting he uses damp sphagnum moos and presses it around the base of the canes of the plant. This will ensure enough moisture to encourage new root growth. New roots will form eventually and cover the inside and outside of the coconut shell. The attractive hanging arrangements can be left outside as the shells drain rain water. Be sure to soak coconuts found on the beach for several days in fresh water to rinse salt out of the fibers.