My first try at mounting

[MelissaSE]

Thanks to all the good advice from you geeks, I attempted my first mount today with a bit less trepidation than might otherwise have been the case!

I got an Aerangis distincta at Carter & Holmes earlier this week, which was potted and making a lot of roots. My other Aerangis (a citrata) came to me already mounted and, once I figured out the watering issue for my growing conditions, it has been doing great. So after reading a lot of the older posts in this forum, I decided to mount the distincta.

It's on a piece of tree fern totem with a sphagnum pad. I had some really fine fishing line on hand, which is just about invisible! Here are some photos - what do y'all think?

[rcb]

I think it looks great, the only suggestion is to actually place the plant down on the placque, with the spag on top of the roots instead of under the roots. This lets the roots grow down into the tree fern, securing the plant more quickly, and also, it makes it easier when you have to replace the spag someday - which someday you will.

[Phalcycle]

I agree with renee.
Her sugestion also allows the roots to stay moist longer, than as exposed to air, because moss cover it

[MelissaSE]

Thank you, Renee & Jay - I will make that adjustment, which of course makes perfect sense in keeping the roots moist.

[patticake]

Thanks for posting! This is a great way this forum can help folks. You did a great job, and with the changes suggested, it should be on its happy way! I like the fine clear thread, too. I'm also quite envious of you to be living near C & H! My sister lives in Columbia, and took me there when I went to visit her. Awesome place!

[busypotter]

Most orchids love being mounted, I think they are free roots in the wind in nature, and mounted gives them that feeling again. Born Free! Thanks for sharing

[patticake]

Originally Posted by busypotter

Most orchids love being mounted, I think they are free roots in the wind in nature, and mounted gives them that feeling again. Born Free! Thanks for sharing

Where you are, in Florida, that could be true, but up here in NY state, I only have a couple of mounted chids, as the humidity in the house is so low in the winter, that they would be dry and crispie in a matter of hours. I received an Aerangis fastuosa that had been mounted. It was not happy. I put it in a small plastic pot, and it said "Thanks!" Keeping a little moisture around the roots up here can be tricky.

I sure wish that I had a greenhouse. That way I could keep my humidity higher, and mount several more of my chids. I think that they look so pretty this way. As you said, "Born free"!

[syndywindy]

I'm kind of like Patticake, in winter it becomes drier in the house. But I have several mounted orchids and they really seem to do so much better this way. It takes me about 30 minutes each morning to water them but I think it's worth it. I wish I could mount more, but it's a time issue more than anything. Your new orchid should do great mounted.

[orchids4me]

This thread was very informative being I will be attempting my first mount in spring : )
Thanks you for sharing yours
Emmaye