Well, I can’t speak to the Tamandama. I have have done lots of mounts over the years. Sure, mounts work if you can provide the plant’s needs. That’s why I’m asking… if there’s a more specific question. Yes, I have mounts planted several different ways. My post here about the bingo ball was just making conversation. But yes, it works.

Sure! So here’s my first attempt, using rock wool. I think the rock wool works fine as a medium, not as thrilled with my plant choices. I would recommend wearing gloves when working with rock wool, I got shards like fiberglass in my fingers.
https://i.imgur.com/sEy02qx.jpg
I kind of threw whatever I had extra of on here, and I’m surprised that the Epidendrum ‘Panama Ruby’ seems happy with the daily/almost daily watering regime - but I have never figured that orchid out and can’t get it to rebloom. I was hoping Peperomia ‘Red Panama Shingler’ and Peperomia aff Jamesoniana would creep along the ball, but instead they’re just growing every which way. The Elaphoglossum peltatum is growing new fronds and seems like a great option for a ball like this, and the Begonia lichenora died back to a few leaves but is growing now, too soon to comment on its growth habit. I’ll probably pull off both of the Peperomias and might add other things, something upright to give some height on top, and probably some micro Sinningias as well.

And here’s the one I made during the class that atelir_te offered in November 27th, it’s growing in well but does need to be watered daily to encourage the moss to spread:
https://i.imgur.com/x8VMLgt.jpg

They had me use LFS to make the ball, wrapped in polyester sewing thread, with a Davallia fern to eventually bind the ball together with its roots. I used Davallia tyermannii, Lycopodium squarrosum, Bulbophyllum ambrosia, Peperomia ‘Red Panama Shingler’, Begonia sp Maldonado, and 2 different tropical mosses. So far everything is very happy except the moss, I’m not watering consistently enough. The Bulbophyllum has at least three new growth points. They also use Tillandsias but recommended waiting to add them until everything else is grown in and you can cut back on watering a bit.

Thank you for your update, harpspiel. Very interesting! So, now that you’ve come this far, do you think you’ll be using this mounting technique again? I really like this idea in theory, but I’m fairly sure that my own attempt would end up looking more clumsy than beautiful — it must be difficult to choose and position plants to make a good visual presentation over time. Thanks again for showing not one, but two, examples!

I will absolutely use it again, I love making combinations that ideally look like a beautiful shifting flower arrangement. Choosing plants that look good together over time is just about practice and experimentation, and I do like the "over time" aspect compared to the static aesthetics of, say, Ikebana (although I'm also dabbling in Ikebana).

However, this technique is going to be difficult to maintain unless you have an area with high humidity, my grow tent is around 70%. If you're already growing mounted orchids successfully, this shouldn't be a problem, but keep in mind that if you want the ball covered in living moss, it really does need a lot of water when establishing.

Good information. I think I'm going to have to work up my confidence, proficiency, and artistic eye a bit more before I attempt this, but you are inspiring me to try it in the future. I hope you'll keep updating your post periodically so I can follow along. Thanks very much.

Came to post the same exact thing haha.

Don't have much of an artistic eye so thoughts and prayers will have to do!

this concept has led me to evolve my handling of weeds. i have rock moss, dandilion and various ferns growing in almost every pot i have....now i just consider them a family and let them live together :)

Indeed. My Brassolova cordata fell in love with a fern about a year ago and care deeply for each other. I’m hoping for babies in the spring. 😜

Sometimes tree seeds blow into a bucket of soil mix outdoors, then sprout. I need to enter one of these in some competition.

Fishing hack for mounting; I stole my brother's fly tying bobbin which works really well for 'precision' tying plants to mounts [though I mostly stole it to use for building moss mounds for Neos]. I use either black cotton thread or black cotton/poly thread when mounting; it only needs to last a season or two, and it's both inexpensive and easy to trim from mounts.