Cement based molded mount
 

I am thinking of marketing a new material I have been working with for 10 years.
I started making additive cement based non alkali mounts 10 years ago and have been very happy with the result.
I made a rubber Aztec king head mold from a model I made with plasticene and have been hand placing the special fiber and cement base material into them to form unique lightweight mounts.
As you can see the orchids roots are all over them and because I added slow release fertilizer granules into the wet mix the orchids just love growing on them.
The great thing about these is the wet material is easy to mix, can be hand molded into any shape or placed into any kind of mold and takes 8 hrs to set up.
The finished mount is very absorbent, strong and lightweight and can be made to look like any material with the right mold and look hundreds of years old or new.
I would like to hear some comments

I really liked this way of mounting, is this difficult to make? I didnt quite understand how you made this...?
Any how, its beautifull! How long have you been mounting in this manner? And what kinds of orchids?
I have mostly phals, but id really like to try mounting on something like this.. *s*

I have been making the mounts for 10 years and giving them as gifts.
I have grown all types of orchids on them and they have all done extremely well, the orchid has to be started small size on my particular Aztec king mount because the cup I made is small.

Jerry

I love your work. NICE JOB. It looks like something I would definitely use with my plants.:D

Wow, that looks great! I would definitely buy one of those if I saw one in the store. You might consider going into business! How much would something like that cost?

Wanda, thanks for the complement.
I have other mounts in my head, can make almost anything, just dont have time.

Jerry

Steve thanks, I dont know how much yet, just considering selling them or just the mix or even the mix and the molds would probably be better.
I have a website at Cast Stone by Ventura Cast Stone where you can see the products that make me a living.

Jerry

Man, I love good old American Ingenuity! Looks like "kit" material to me. Garden centers, craft stores, catalog sales, etc.
Great job.
Al

Hi Jerry,

Wonderful idea:D If you could package it like a kit somehow that would be great. Otherwise I'll be looking in the OB "Classified" for your mounts. I'm always on the lookout for something "different" to mount on. Aren't we all? How do you do the attachment on the back? Is it something that has to be flat on the wall or can a design be free hanging from wire?
Sounds like this product esp. if it can be priced right would do well. You might give a try talking to a nearby Orchid Society about introducing it at a meeting. Lots of feedback and potential sales. Not everybody is as creative and handy making designs. Readymade is good.

:goodluck:
Lorraine

Lorraine, thanks for the feedback.
For the hanger I use a strong galvanized wire loop which is embedded in the wet mix near the top of the mount and just a 1/2" of it is visible, just enough to accept a screw or nail.
I could also lower the loop so it can be hidden and still hung on a screw head.