Orchids on Palms!

[el-blanco]

This one flowers in winter.  No idea what it is though.

Edited June 16, 2016 by el-blanco

[el-blanco]

Broms too.

[jonsunnycoast]

haha I just attached about 15 orchids to various palm about a month ago cant wait for them to attach properly and flower

 

[Palm Tree Jim]

9 hours ago, el-blanco said:

This one flowers in winter.  No idea what it is though.

How did you attach it?

[Bill Austin]

They really add color to the garden I just wish they wouid bloom more often.

[Pal Meir]

Why not palms on palms?

[Cindy Adair]

Beautiful! Worth the wait to see them bloom. I put several on each appropriate tree so I can try to have one in bloom more often. Here's a new one this week although not on a palm:

Totally care free for me.

 

[comic097]

Love it such a nice look to the garden 

[Tomw]

I have said for a long time that orchids and bromeliads are jewelry (bling) for palm trees.

[mcrawford]

I shot this photo of orchids growing in a Brahea in Oaxaca some years ago.

[waykoolplantz]

At my sisters house

[talkjk]

On 6/16/2016, 7:06:04, Palm Tree Jim said:

How did you attach it?

I was wondering the same and found this

http://www.aos.org/orchids/additional-resources/orchids-on-a-tree.aspx

[Cindy Adair]

 

Thanks for all the good information from the Anerican Orchid Society of which I am a member.

Here is an excerpt of what they recommend:

Set the plant directly on the trunk or limb; do not apply a pad of sphagnum moss, osmunda or other medium. Doing so may keep the surface too wet and induce rot. Roots may grow into the medium, but not onto the tree, reducing their ability to cling to the host.

Attach with cotton string that will eventually decompose and not harm the environment. It fades in a few weeks, blending in with its surroundings, and the plant will have rooted in place when the fibers deteriorate one year later. Plastic ties and monofilament are alternatives. But since these synthetics are not biodegradable, it is necessary to loosen them as the stems grow, and eventually remove them once the roots form. Hot-glue guns are another choice; take care not to injure new leads. Place a dab of glue on the rhizome or pseudobulb and hold against the tree for a few seconds.

Now on to my comments from the 9 years I have been attaching my orchids to a variety of trees in Puerto Rico. 

As to the advice to put nothing between the orchid and the tree, I agree.

I have never tried glue as it seems if the glue burns my finger it can't be great for the tree or orchid?

The cotton string idea is not workable at all here though. The string lasts less than a week in my jungle!

I have read about panty hose and tried it, but it is diificuly for me to get the plant secure and that always seems the most critical factor. 

If the orchid moves I never have success.

Yet fishing line cuts into my trees which is unacceptable.

I have been consistently happy with the slightly stretchy easy to tie clear plastic tubing that is part of intravenous fluid lines and mostly filling landfills.

I have used only veterinary sources due to concerns over safety plus regulatory issues.

This is ideal for me. In my experience, the big veterinary corporations are less likely to save it for me than the smaller practices whose staff enjoys photos of the orchids, the idea of recycling plus bribes of donuts or bagels in exchange.

Thanks to those posting photos! I really enjoy looking at them!

 

[mcrawford]

My mother used a hot glue gun on "airplants" for years.

I used to use pieces of recycled women's nylons for

tomatoes, which stretch wonderfully, but alas, women

no long wear this adornment.

[el-blanco]

Another orchid opened up.  Smells very strong!

[palmsOrl]

Beautiful orchids!  I'm amazed that you have that much success with the low humidity in California.  I have a few Dendrobium and native Encyclia tampensis attached to trees (not palm trees yet).  Most tend to dry out certain times of year, so that has prevented me from going all out with the orchids.  Dry air and low humidity is much more of a deterrent in my location than cold.