First mount, i hope it's OK.

[Stelios]

So after seeing all those great photos of mounted plants i though to give it a shot. I used a aprox 20x20cm virgin cork bark piece some sphagnum moss and a bit of thread. I had 2 Phalaenopsis equestris var alba 'Micky' in the same pot and they were both young plants so i thought i could use one as my first try with mounting.

I hope it will be OK.

PS. I couldn't find my camera so i used the laptop cam and it's a bit fuzy when there's not enough light.

[solay]

Looks good. I think this is the first of many for you. We must all be in the mounting mood cause I've been mounting stuff like mad too.

[delphiguy]

hey you made great job on the mount, seeing this, i wouldnt think that this is your first
mount. I have made a few mounts myself and I haven't improved a bit, but im not giving up.

[kmarch]

Looks pretty good. Is the base of the cane buried in the moss? If so you might want to remove some of the moss so that the base is exposed.

[Stelios]

Thank you guys, i just tried to replicate what i saw on the forum.

Kevin the plant is very young aprox 10cm diameter from leaf tip to leaf tip and 5 cm tall. I'll make sure to remove some moss from the base though.

To be honest i am still new into using moss as i was afraid it after all those stories i read on the forum, so i cut a piece and soaked it and it was a bit more than i wanted so i used it all as i felt it was a pity to throw it.

[kninum]

The youngster sure does look good on it's new home...

it looks like it will be very happy there, and looks so cute

[lmartiny]

Looks good Stlios.

[PhalPal]

Nice mounting job, it looks beautiful!!! Once you have done the first one and realize how easy it is you will do many more!

The only suggestion I could make would be to place the Phal 'upsidedown', at least to us. If you want to mimic nature, as mounts do, (but YOU don't have to!) phals naturally grow with their leaves pointing down. It looks very pretty with the spikes growing down as well.

I have lots of mounts and I have placed them both directions, it's really up to you. I just wanted to let you know there is another option.

[jay]

Congrats on your first mount. I can't wait to see how it develops.

[Stelios]

Originally Posted by PhalPal

The only suggestion I could make would be to place the Phal 'upsidedown', at least to us. If you want to mimic nature, as mounts do, (but YOU don't have to!) phals naturally grow with their leaves pointing down. It looks very pretty with the spikes growing down as well.

Thank you for the suggestion. A secret fairy godmother also sent a PM sugesting this and providing photos of how it should be done in a better way for the plant. I remounted it yesterday and both me and plant are happier... but i still can't find my camera. I'll post a pic when i will

[oncidiumlover]

Great looking mount! I just ordered a mounted plant from Jerry! Mounts must be in the air! lol! You're much braver than me, Great job!

[hulaorchid]

Looks good, but ditto what Phalpal said. Just turn the mount over so it hangs down, since phal are prone to crown root.
I also mounted my first too. It's a podangis.

[orchidfriend]

I caught the fever too!!

here's my first (Den Nobile)





keep us updated on how yours is doing

[Stelios]

OK here's the photos of the thing with the phal remounted looking down. I also had a small keiki fell of a den hybrid with a couple of roots so i included this too

[trinigirl]

It's really looking good now, perfect!

I have several phals mounted this way. Some of them grow downwards and some of them are tending to start pointing with the crown and leaves growing up. I guess they will decide which way they want to point in the end.

Hope we get to see a spike soon!

[lmartiny]

Orchidfriend. How is your hanger attached? That is different and I like it.

[Stelios]

Originally Posted by lmartiny

Orchidfriend. How is your hanger attached? That is different and I like it.

I used my electric drill to open a hole. I took an old wire hanger and opened it. I passed one end through the hole and made a loop so it will be secured. I made the other end like an 's' so it would have a hook to hang it from.
I used 1/3 of the wire hanger so some more is available for a future mount.

[orchidfriend]

Originally Posted by lmartiny

Orchidfriend. How is your hanger attached? That is different and I like it.

Hey Imartiny,
I actually just poked a hole through the bark using a metal skewer and then just used some yarn I had sitting around. I usually just walk around my house until I see what I need.

The funny thing is that sometimes I start walking around knowing that I need "something" but having no idea what it is until I find it. I know that sounds weird but maybe somebody here has some idea of what i'm talking about.

[PhalPal]

Originally Posted by orchidfriend

The funny thing is that sometimes I start walking around knowing that I need "something" but having no idea what it is until I find it. I know that sounds weird but maybe somebody here has some idea of what i'm talking about.

You are not crazy - I know exactly what you are talking about!!! When I can't find what I want at home I start walking the aisles of Home Depot not having any idea what I am looking for. I only know that I will know when I see it!!! (I come up with some great ideas this way!)

[Stelios]

last night happened a very interesting thing... I was hearing crazy sounds from the bathroom (it is usuall as a couple of geckos in heat season live there) so i went to try seeing the guys. What i saw was that they both were on the mount dancing. I hurried to the living room to get my camera but by the time i returned they have left the mount and went hiding again
It would be such a great photo to share.

[PhalPal]

Wow what an interesting sight!!!! That would have been one great shot!

[oncidiumlover]

Now that I'd like to see!

[hulaorchid]

Geckos are cool! Your going to have to set up a secret camera to get a shot! LOL

Hope you don't mind but I've added a picture of my first mount! My podangis! I got the grapewood from HD.

Before and after. Thanks Stelios

[Stelios]

of course i don't mind, more mounts - more ideas
I'll might use a hidden camera then lol

[violetta]

Nice mount Stelios. So where did you hang it?
I thought about mounting some orchids and hanging them outside, but it seems to me that the heat and the dry air will kill them.

[Stelios]

Originally Posted by violetta

Nice mount Stelios. So where did you hang it?
I thought about mounting some orchids and hanging them outside, but it seems to me that the heat and the dry air will kill them.

In the bathroom so it will have strong light and high humidity.

[PhalPal]

Nice mount Hula!!! Very pretty grapewood.

I just love mounts. Stelios I fear that if I started to hang mine in my bathroom I would soon have no place to take a shower! Orchids have a way of taking over entire rooms in my house.

[Stelios]

Originally Posted by PhalPal

Stelios I fear that if I started to hang mine in my bathroom I would soon have no place to take a shower! Orchids have a way of taking over entire rooms in my house.

lol
They took over my kitchen, 2 living rooms and now they invaded the bathroom.

[Stelios]

as i told a few days ago, a gecko is living on the mount as well but as soon as i try to take a photo it hides in the mount or elsewhere in the bathroom. I managed to take a shot of it hiding. If you look carefully you'll might spot it.

[Ochin@]

Oh, how cool is that!

[lmartiny]

That is a great shot. I try to catch any lizards that get in (and elude the cats) and release them outside because they start to dehydrate and will shrivel and die.

[Stelios]

Originally Posted by lmartiny

That is a great shot. I try to catch any lizards that get in (and elude the cats) and release them outside because they start to dehydrate and will shrivel and die.

I got all shorts of things getting inside and trying to elude the cats. I just had a mantis earlier. Last night the one cat cought a gecko but outside the house. The one on the mount along it;s mate (they were prety loudy last few weeks) are living in the bathroom 3-4 years now and the cats don't bully them yet. Usually i see them in the sink or bathrub every now and then or by the lights of the mirror. But i think lately they found a better home in the mount as it has a light above it that collects a few small insects. So they eat and dring the droplets from the moss.

[solay]

Oh that's neat. It's so cute. Love it when you get animals that help eat bugs around. What happens when you need to water?

All I have is a dove that made a nest in my hanging Geranium basket. She sits on it all day. Guess I'll have to let the Germanium die since I can't water it now.

[Stelios]

it's not staying there all day, it goes to "bed" behind the bathtub or somewhere. It stays on the mount evenings-nights and as soon as it sees me coming it hides in the mount or climb and hides elsewhere. I water during the day only

[solay]

I see. Well, guess you have a pet then. It's very cute. I see a lot of geckos in the Philippines when I'm there but I'm afraid they bite so I don't try to catch them.

[Stelios]

what we have here in Greece are usually light brown (even semi transparent) to dark brown 5-8cm (without tail) specimets. They really don't bite. Once in Namimbia i was staying at some lodges with geckos 25cm without tail! They also don't bite and help keep the mosquito population down. I have caught one carefully there (not to hurt the tail) and let it outside only to see there were more inside so i left it in afterall.

[katrina]

Awwww....that is soooo cute! I love little lizards!

[PhalPal]

OMG is that precious or what!!??! Finding him was like one of those 'Wheres Waldo' books!
I would just have to give him a name and claim him as a pet!

[hulaorchid]

How cute! I see you finally got a shot of him!!
I agree he needs a name!! lol

[PhalPal]

Originally Posted by hulaorchid

I agree he needs a name!! lol

I vote for GEEK the GECKO!

[hulaorchid]

I second it!!

[Stelios]

Originally Posted by PhalPal

OMG is that precious or what!!??! Finding him was like one of those 'Wheres Waldo' books!
I would just have to give him a name and claim him as a pet!

i was in the bathroom just earlier since i just got back from a wedding (hick ) and the gecko was there again but until i got my camera it had fled.
I'll keep trying to get it posing.
Yes a name would be cool as it might come out when called lol

Originally Posted by PhalPal

I vote for GEEK the GECKO!

I really like it!

Originally Posted by hulaorchid

I second it!!

Then it's official!!! Everybody this is Geek the Gecko!