Phals would be an good orchid to start with.
It's a
HUGE misconception that orchids need constant, even temps.
If that were the case, all orchids everywhere would be dead by now.
Cuz orchids in their natural habitats, all over the world, in all climates,
withstand temperature fluctuations from day to night.
In fact, it is beneficial for most orchids to experience day to night temp fluctuations.
Not to mention seasonal temperature fluctuations in order to stimulate blooms.
(yes, even in the tropics, there are seasonal temp fluctuations)
Anyway, here is my Howeara Lava Burst mounted on a slab of cork bark.
I used rubber bands to affix it to the cork slab, being EXTREMELY careful not to damage the foliage and roots. Then I used sheet moss to cover the rubber bands, pking the dried sheets of moss under and over the rubber bands. Then I threw in a few pieces of Spanish Moss, which seem to REALLY like the growing conditions of the mounted orchid. I also think it looks pretty darn wild. (BTW, the rubber bands eventually disintegrate, but by then, the orchid is hanging on with its own roots)
Another angle...
Another...you can see the roots that grew onto the cork slab, holding on like long, thin light green fingers.
Happily about to bloom...that long thin shoot is a bloom spike.
What's great about these cork slabs is that they can be hooked onto the rims of other orchid pots, baskets, other cork slabs.
Here is a Tillandsia (Air Plant) I just mounted using rubber bands.
Haven't added the sheet moss or Spanish moss yet.
Another extremely easy orchid to grow is the Dendrobium kingianum, a miniature species orchid.
Does not mind extreme temp fluctuations, light medium to high light. (Direct morning sun is fine)
Mine is mounted into a coconut shell. I used coco fiber and some pine needles, just cuz that was easiest to use and closest at hand. This orchid was only 1.5 inches wide and 4 leaves when I first acquired it.
Now, only a year later, it has over a dozen new shoots. Sooner of later it will grow to completely cover the coconut...and in bloom, it is breath taking....and fragrant!
Another angle...
Next to a $1 to show you it's true size.
It's just starting to show a few tiny, almost miscroscopic spikes...so I am psyched!
