Regarding the Cholla - I mounted some pieces of my alba Epidendrum secundum to a piece of Cholla. Now some years later you can hardly see the Cholla any longer, but the mount is still sturdy enough to hang it up. If I could easily get my hands on some, I would use it.
Many times mounts ( usually Andy's branches, sorry) have fallen apart on me and I have on occasion simply wrapped a chain of appropriate thickness around the then larger root clump/plant or secured a hanger around it and suspended the plant that way. My Laelia anceps grows that way for years now.
