First mount: Palm branch? + orchid recommendations

[Bobblybook]

Hi everyone!
I'm fairly new to orchids but I'm thinking about trying my luck at mounting my first one. I've been looking out for potential mounts and I have a branch of some sort of palm which I think may be fairly good. There's some photos linked below - it's around 1m long (will prob cut it though) and about 8cm (3.5") in diameter. As you can see from the photos the surface is quite rough (it's been raining all day so that's why it looks wet!). Would this be suitable for mounting an orchid? I really like the look of it but I thought I'd ask first.

Also if it is, could someone please recommend a good first orchid to mount? I live in Melbourne - I did a quick search and apparently Melbourne is equivalent to US zone 9b-10a if that helps at all. Our summers do get fairly hot and dry, up to 40-45 C on the worst days (110-115 F) but I'm happy to shelter it/bring it inside if it gets that hot. I am planning on buying an Angraecum didieri, but I'm hesistant to risk that one as my first mount so I was waiting to see what everyone here recommends so I can buy them together.

(Click for larger image)


Thanks for the help
Adam

[thakshila smith]

those logs may be decompose off or slugs may live in between the bark.

Ii got a plain idea .
Use concrete posts .5 foot hight .
You can dig a hole and plant it, as well it is movable too.
I have seen people grow them on posts and lots of Oncediums bloom on them. My neighbor does it.
I can see the blooms from my entrance.

[Bobblybook]

Originally Posted by thakshila smith

those logs may be decompose off or slugs may live in between the bark.

Ii got a plain idea .
Use concrete posts .5 foot hight .
You can dig a hole and plant it, as well it is movable too.
I have seen people grow them on posts and lots of Oncediums bloom on them. My neighbor does it.
I can see the blooms from my entrance.

I wouldn't leave them on the ground like that - it's just there at the moment because it was going to be thrown out. I've had a look and there doesn't really seem to be any way to get 'under' the bark as such where slugs etc. could live, but there's grooves and ridges in the bark due to the texture of it. I was hoping I'd be able to use this because its probably the best thing I've got at the moment.. I don't know where I'd get a concrete post from : /

[Swamper]

I don't know what type of frond it is and I don't know how long it will last. If it does start to decompose or rot or just fall apart, you can always attach it to another mount. I grow mainly vandas and I'm pretty sure one would work on that.

[Bobblybook]

Originally Posted by Swamper

I don't know what type of frond it is and I don't know how long it will last. If it does start to decompose or rot or just fall apart, you can always attach it to another mount. I grow mainly vandas and I'm pretty sure one would work on that.

Thanks Swamper. I may actually use my Angraecum didieri. I did a bit more research and it appears to be a pretty good candidate, and its also part of the vanda alliance. Of all the orchids I've looked at so far to mount, this one seems to be the most suitable and it seems I'd almost be doing it a disservice by trying to grow it in a pot I guess I'll just have to find (*cough* buy) another orchid to fill the empty spot on the bench...

[thakshila smith]

Concrete post is best thing for vanda. Its life time lasting . Bec you get lengths lengths of roots of vandas . You can ask a carpenter to build some for you. Concrete posts means the posts you install to hang barbed wires to make fence.
We use some iron rods in between to maintain
the strength of posts. It will be rather a tough job for you. But friend think ahead. Now here its very difficult to find durable kind of wood .But concrete can be made.

[Swamper]

Thakshila, maybe we have a small language barrier and I don't quite understand you?
When you say concrete, you mean as in cement? Carpenters work with wood don't they?
I like that you have the vision to see the possibility of a vanda mount when faced with barbed wire on cement posts. That is brilliant.
Now when I go fishing and I see the state prison on my drive, instead of seeing the ugly fence I can say Hey look at all those possible vanda mounts.Thank You.
Then there is the question of how to bring the mount indoors for the winter. I can see myself telling my wife, don't mind me honey, oh and this is only temporary.
Any suggestions?

[thakshila smith]

I can re call "Sound of Music " .all the children climbed on the trees and sitting on them and singing and waving.
I think this is a new innovation for orchids growing here.
Because the hard wood is very very expensive due to carpenter work and its very rare.Therefore we think twice when we use wood for orchids. And due to heavy rains woods decay without delay.
Some people mount them on live trees like coconut or mangoes but do not cut them .
Some people use these cement posts for dendrobiums too.
I am sorry we do not have winter season here. I never happen to think about it.
And for that you can use 4 foot posts planted on cemented pots . Those are movable.
Thank you and to your wife. She can have posts full of flowers in her living room.
Another suggestion is can use those concrete posts horizontally and dens grow on them without any ceiling .
Okay.

[thakshila smith]

this is a pic of oncidium grown on a fence post.
Nice job. flowers little bit faded .But the concrete fence post can be seen.

[Bobblybook]

Thanks thakshila and Swamper for your help. I've cut up the log and I'm going to keep it outside for a few months to see how it reacts to the weather. Meanwhile I've bought a $2 coconut husk ball thingy which seems perfect for my A.didieri in the meantime. I could've mounted it on a fence post like you suggested, but I would like to bring it in over winter so it doesn't get frost and that's not so easy with a fence post
I'll see how this little guy goes!