i have had good luck mounting large dendrobiums using monofilament fishing line. the thinner the better, as even 4lb test can hold a pretty good-sized orchid, and thinner line is more invisible. if your plant is getting a LOOOT of sun, though, you may want to use heavier line as the sun rots the mono. i sometimes use my really complicated fishing knots, but find that standard "granny"/half hitch knots work just fine on lighter line.
i just wad some moss against the mounting spot, place the main root cluster over the moss, and wrap it until snug while adding a bit more moss over the roots and under a few of the wraps. this gives some moisture retention while the plant is adjusting to its new home, but mostly falls away by the time it is fully adjusted and clinging on its own. i then tightly tie one end of the fishing line to the mounting branch, and loosely tie the other end high up on the dendro cane. this gives it support, but doesn't "choke" it. repeat for each cane that seems to want to fall away. eventually you can cut the line once the plant is free-standing, or just let the sun do it for you. ta-DAA!
with a lot of water and sun, i have yet to see a dendrobium that didn't take off and stand on its own within a year or even less.
|