Preparing for my first one. Any suggestions?

[j0ker918]

I decided to try my first mount so I figure why not go big? I went out early this morning to my friend's backyard (i.e. woods) and hiked around until I found a nice piece of wood which I then sawed into a good length and pressure-washed. It's 5'6'' and I think it looks ok by itself but I can't help but think of all the possible plants I can mount on it. I tried to find a nice 5-6' grapevine or similar wood online but it seems impossible so this was as close as I could get. Just wish it were a bit more gnarled.

I will definitely be strategically glueing some airplants on it to add extra dimension to it and make it look less straight and boring, but I'm torn on which kind of orchid(s) to add. Ideally, I can find some cheap chids on ebay in case I kill everything on this first try. I was thinking some simple phals which can arch down some nice blooms but was curious to hear any other suggestions?

[syndywindy]

Looks like a cool piece of wood, but are you sure you want it that large? I'm just thinking in terms of watering, carrying it to wherever you do your watering. And then, are you going to secure it somehow so it doesn't fall over? You don't want it to fall , being that large, it could do some damage to your plants. but if you plan on keeping it that size, I can think of a few plants that might work for you. Just remember with mounts you will be watering more often. There are some cool dendrobiums that don't get overly large as well as a few specie phals. Something like Phal. bellina or eequestris. Dens I was thinking one of the species that have longer pendulous canes, like lawesii or one that is more clumping like a laevifolium. So many different types would be good, but a lot also depends on your conditions, how much time you want to be watering them etc. If it were me, I'd be cutting that piece into several mounts or at least cut it in half, secure in a pretty planter to make it easier for you.

[j0ker918]

Thanks for the advice! It definitely won't fall over, since it's leaning into the corner and the ledge it sits on has a ridge so it won't slip off.

In terms of watering, that is the one thing I DON'T look forward to given that I work all day. I was thinking I can handle maybe a once a week drench in the shower which is only the next room over with a twice a day direct misting. The wood itself is not heavy at all... maybe 25lbs at most.

I guess I should start off with a single orchid mount. Maybe a phal equestris and see if I can keep it going for a few months before I invest in adding a second. The equestris definitely looks interesting! and I read that it frequently gives out keikis which would be awesome since I've never had an orchid do that.

[Daethen]

Unless you have good humidity, you will have to water more than once a week. My mounts get watered 3-4 times a week even with lots of sphag on them.

[bumpman]

I would also suggest matching the light requirements of the orchids and Tillandsias to the amount on light in your corner. Also you might try finding a large piece of driftwood, maybe along the banks of the Hudson? Something with branches and nooks and perhaps some gnarls. I recently found a great piece of driftwood (weathered with just the heart wood left) on which I mounted about twenty five tillies.

[kmarch]

Unless you have consistent humidity in the 80% or greater range you will need ot water it probably every day or almost every day. Phals require constantly moist conditions.