Elaine did a great job of answering the question. Leave the drift wood in its natural state. Do not use pine or other oily woods. I usually wet some moss, lay it on the wood and then tie the orchid on top of the moss. That will give it a little additional moisture to get started. The moss will eventually go away or once the roots attach, you can remove it with tweezers. I have never suffered black rot on a mounted orchid.and almost any orchid can be mounted. My favorite orchids to mount are Brassavolas.
Jim
