Epiphytic orchids grow on branches in nature!  Coffee Logs have some magical ingredient that promotes orchid growth on them in cultivation.  Seldom do you find many orchid species growing on them in the coffee plantations, but this may be attributed to the environment, since most coffee, in Mexico at least, is grown under shade trees.  We have found over the past 10 years that most all species and hybrids, be they of thick or fine roots, attach well to the logs and they last many, many years.  More simply put, you will have to divide the plant before the log decomposes.  Imagine, 8 years without remounting!

Below is a step by step approach to using these logs:

First: Choose the plant you wish to mount. In this case we have chosen a Brassavola cucullata.  Notice the large, dried root system at the base.

Second: This root system must be trimmed and cleaned.  Before cutting the roots, we need to sterilize our cutting tool by flame, in order to prevent the spread of viruses. (I do not trust liquid sterilizing methods as they are not as reliable) SO FLAME YOUR TOOL, BE IT CLIPPERS OR A KNIFE AND FLAME IT WELL!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clean up the root system of your plant. Remove all dead roots, leave the live ones, even though they may be shriveled, to reduce the dead material around the center of the plant and make room for the new roots.

 

Once the root mass is reduced:

Fourth: If the plant is large, you may divide the rhizome, but leave the plant and root mass intact. This will promote new growths from the back bulbs.  Also note, if you use my elixir “Firewater” with your fertilizer, this will occur naturally without additional division.

Fifth:  Choose your Coffee Log ! Match the size of the plant with the log. It should be similar in size.  Also, orient the plant with the new lead pointing up or down, or to the side, according to its growth habit requirement.

Sixth: Place your plant, present it!  Hold the log in such a manner that you are able to see through the arch of the loop and place the plant at least 1/3 of the way up the log, facing towards you. 

Seventh: Wrap your wire, string, yarn, fishing line, or whatever you decide to use, around the plant while holding it firmly in place, do not allow the plant to shift. Make sure the wire touches the plant ONLY ON THE ROOTS AND RHIZOME, it should not cut into leaves or psuedobulbs.  In many cases you will have to sew the wire between growths emerging from the rhizome. 

Start with a wire longer than you estimate you will need.  It is much easier to cut too much and have some left over, than to run short and have to tie on an extra length. Once you have wrapped enough around to secure the plant firmly, twist the ends together.  This is why I like to use plastic coated telephone wire, there is no need for knots, it stays where you place it and is easily obtainable for free as waste from your local phone company.

 

Pull your hand twisted ends as tightly as possible with a pair of pliers, without breaking the wire, or cutting through the rhizomes. Then twist it down until the twist meets the wood.  It should hold the plant tightly, unless the plant is too heavy.  In that case you will need to provide additional support (in the form of a loop around the leaves or psuedobulbs) farther up the mount, which will keep the plant fixed in place while it roots firmly to the log.

Eighth: Cut off the excess wire and you are finished!

Hang your plant in one place and DO NOT MOVE IT!  UNLESS IT DECLINES WITHIN A MONTH.  ORCHIDS DO NOT LIKE TO TRAVEL, THEY ARE SIMILAR TO HUMANS IN ALL RESPECTS, EXCEPT THAT THEY DO BEST WHEN LEFT ALONE IN ONE POSITION!

BELOW ARE A FEW EXAMPLES OF HOW PLANTS PERFORM ON COFFEE LOGS. Brassavola gardneri, one month after mounting:

Roots initiating, plant facing down        Growths initiating, plant facing up 

 

Notice, the plant, above right, has a few strands of sphagnum moss.  The use of sphagnum moss will depend on the origin of the plant you are mounting and your available humidity.  They seem to root and grow equally well without it on the coffee logs.

Below is a Brassavola cucullata three months after mounting, without moss.:

Below is a Brassavola (Rhyncholaelia) glauca:

40 days after mounting       Two years after mounting

 

 

We hope this presentation helps you with your orchid growing!

Questions or comments, send to:

goldenbear@rocketmail.com