Mounting orchids for the first time

[sjohn]

I lived in Singapore and Borneo for 20 years and have mounted 1000's of orchids a few hundred types.

I think it is best to mounted about 2/3 down the fern bark as sprayed moisture moves down, the roots will go both up and down. The plant on the other hand depends on the type. Vanda types like trichoglottis will crawl up and around, so will Cattleya group, while Phaleonopsis will stay the same place. The roots will seek lingering moisture whether up or down within or behind the mount.

Spaghnum with or without is a choice as with you can water less often but if you like to frequently spray your plants then without may be better. Vanda types in general do better without moss and a frequent spray with high humidity.

For mounting I usually put a small pad of moss behind the plant between the mount. Chiloschista on the otherhand do well on a small branch, no moss.