180 ORCHIDS MARCH 2005 WWW.AOS.ORG ORCHID PORTRAIT Lending Support By Charles Marden Fitch Branches, Logs, Plaques and Slabs Can Be Home to Orchids “SUPPORT ME,” SHOUT THE orchids. “I’ll grow so well with the right support.” Sometimes our plants may sound like demanding teenagers, yet pro- viding a lifetime support is reasonable for epiphytic orchids. In the wild, many of our most attractive orchids thrive on tree branches, in clumps of sturdy shrubs, on rocks covered with moss or in a tree crotch filled with humus. In captivity, supports for orchids resemble natural arrange-ments in the wild. CHOICES Basic supports include logs of suitable wood, especially hardwoods, and lighter poles of sturdy tree fern. Smaller orchids do well on chunks and slabs of tropical tree fern. Another fern product, osmunda, made from the roots of a species of temperate- zone swamp plant, can also be used as a hanging support. For years, chunks of osmunda were the preferred potting material for epiphytic orchids. Density of osmunda fern root varies from soft to almost hard and dense. The harder sections are best for hanging supports. WOOD Sections of cork oak bark ( Quercus suber ), oak branches and grape wood ( Vitis vinifera) are good as orchid supports. Driftwood from freshwater lakes and rivers is an attractive support for epiphytic orchids, while that from the sea is beautiful but usually saturated with salts that harm orchid roots. Soaking in several changes of fresh water or a few months outdoors in the rain usually washes away enough of the sea salt to make saltwater driftwood safe as an orchid support. Wood pruned from living hardwood trees is suitable for orchids after being dried for a few months. Orchid grower and frequent winner of AOS awards Dennis Dayan of Deal, New Jersey, grows many of his small orchids on wood supports. Dayan told me that seasoned (dried) fruitwood such as grape and apple is good, but he avoids using wood from fruit trees with hard pits (stones) — fruits such as cherry, peach and apricot. According to Dayan, the stone-fruitwood bark has a chemical that retards orchid root growth. Orchid expert Phil Jesup of Bristol, Connecticut, has success with orchids on sassafras (Sassafras albidum) logs. Avoid using any type of wood that ABOVE Masdevallia infracta ‘Devine’, CCM/AOS, still growing on the branch to which is was originally attached. For success, mist on sunny mornings, provide good air circulation and night temperatures of 55 to 60 F (13 to 16 C). This species is one of the successive-flowering members of the genus; do not cut the inflorescences off until they are dry. Grower: Kristine Cox. ABOVE RIGHT These cork tree branches for sale at a nursery are among the many choices growers can use as mounts for orchids. Pieces of tree fern, osmunda and driftwood (leached of all salts) are other options. OPPOSITE Aerangis rhodosticta ‘Fox Den’, JC/AOS, mounted on a log. This orchid, native to Africa, thrives with diffuse light, intermediate to warm nights of 65 to 68 F (18 to 20 C) and regular waterings on sunny mornings. It also grows well when attached directly to the trunk of a potted coffee tree. Grower: Phil and Ann Jesup.
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180 ORCHIDS MARCH 2005 WWW.AOS.ORG
ORCHID PORTRAIT
Lending Support By Charles Marden Fitch
Branches, Logs, Plaques and Slabs Can Be Home to Orchids
“SUPPORT ME,” SHOUT THEorchids. “I’ll grow so well with theright support.”
Sometimes our plants may soundlike demanding teenagers, yet pro-viding a lifetime support is reasonablefor epiphytic orchids. In the wild,many of our most attractive orchidsthrive on tree branches, in clumps ofsturdy shrubs, on rocks covered withmoss or in a tree crotch filled with humus.In captivity, supports for orchidsresemble natural arrange-ments in thewild.
CHOICES Basic supports includelogs of suitable wood, especiallyhardwoods, and lighter poles of sturdytree fern. Smaller orchids do well onchunks and slabs of tropical tree fern.Another fern product, osmunda, madefrom the roots of a species of temperate-zone swamp plant, can also be used asa hanging support. For years, chunksof osmunda were the preferred pottingmaterial for epiphytic orchids. Densityof osmunda fern root varies from softto almost hard and dense. The hardersections are best for hanging supports.
WOOD Sections of cork oak bark(Quercus suber), oak branches and
grape wood (Vitis vinifera) are goodas orchid supports. Driftwood fromfreshwater lakes and rivers is anattractive support for epiphyticorchids, while that from the sea isbeautiful but usually saturated withsalts that harm orchid roots. Soakingin several changes of fresh water or afew months outdoors in the rain usuallywashes away enough of the sea salt tomake saltwater driftwood safe as anorchid support.
Wood pruned from living hardwoodtrees is suitable for orchids after beingdried for a few months. Orchid growerand frequent winner of AOS awardsDennis Dayan of Deal, New Jersey,grows many of his small orchids onwood supports. Dayan told me thatseasoned (dried) fruitwood such asgrape and apple is good, but he avoidsusing wood from fruit trees with hard pits(stones) — fruits such as cherry, peachand apricot. According to Dayan, thestone-fruitwood bark has a chemical thatretards orchid root growth. Orchid expertPhil Jesup of Bristol, Connecticut, hassuccess with orchids on sassafras(Sassafras albidum) logs.
Avoid using any type of wood that
ABOVE Masdevallia infracta ‘Devine’,
CCM/AOS, still growing on the branch to
which is was originally attached. For
success, mist on sunny mornings, provide
good air circulation and night temperatures
of 55 to 60 F (13 to 16 C). This species is
one of the successive-flowering members
of the genus; do not cut the inflorescences
off until they are dry. Grower: Kristine Cox.
ABOVE RIGHT These cork tree branches
for sale at a nursery are among the many
choices growers can use as mounts for
orchids. Pieces of tree fern, osmunda and
driftwood (leached of all salts) are other
options.
OPPOSITE Aerangis rhodosticta ‘Fox Den’,
JC/AOS, mounted on a log. This orchid,
native to Africa, thrives with diffuse light,
intermediate to warm nights of 65 to 68 F
(18 to 20 C) and regular waterings on
sunny mornings. It also grows well when
attached directly to the trunk of a potted
coffee tree. Grower: Phil and Ann Jesup.
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living inner bark. Older trees also offercork from thick branches. Cork slabssold for orchid growing are pricedaccording to weight or measured size.I find that cork slabs last at least 10years. Usually the orchid outgrows theslab before cork bark deteriorates. (Incontrast, I find ground cork used aspotting mix needs replacement everytwo years.) Corks from wine bottles areuseful as slabs for tiny orchids and aspotting material, especially as wedgesto push rampant rhizomes back into acontainer. While most growers usepieces of cork as vertical slabs, a fewplace the piece of cork horizontally andattach the orchid to the “raft.” Equitantoncidiums and Psygmorchis pusilla are
has been pressure treated with woodpreservatives. Generally, orchids dobest on totally natural unpainted wood,be i t branches, slabs or logs.Commercial orchid nurseries includevarious wood supports in the suppliessection of catalogs. Cork bark isuniversally available at orchidnurseries in many parts of the world.Other wood-type supports vary ac-cording to region. For example, inFlorida, cypress (Taxodium distichum)slabs and above-water wood “knees”are popular. In California, grapevinewood and cactus wood (skeletons) areoffered. Lowland tropical regions,often near the sea, are rich in coconuthusks and coconut shells (Cocos
nucifera ) , both useful as orchidsupports). In temperate areas, hard-wood such as apple (Malus sp.)and oak (Quercus spp.) are easilyavailable.
CORK The bark of cork oaks(Quercus suber) comes mainly fromcommercial plantations in southernEurope, especially Spain and Portugal.Cultivated cork oaks also grow inCalifornia and a few Southwesternstates. Cork is the outer bark, usually1/2 to 1 inch (1.3 to 1.5 cm) thick,removed from living trees. Sturdy corkoaks live well over 100 years, easilyproducing cork every eight or nineyears. Only the dead outer bark iscarefully removed without injury to the
Materials on Which to Mount Orchids
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1 Dense or hard osmunda fiber isrecommended for plants that requirea constant supply of moisture suchas miniature phalaenopsis andpleurothallids.
2 Cork oak bark slabs have a roughsurface that orchid roots grip tightlywhile still offering quick drainageand long life. Cork slabs can be usedvertically as seen here, or hung as ahorizontal support similar to the logseen in photograph 5 on page 187.
3 Tree-fern log section cut from a 3-foot-(1-m-) long pole. Tree-fern poles aredense, hold moisture several days, andare suitable for many epiphytic genera.
4 Smaller chunks of tree fern are usefulfor equitant oncidiums. In the wild,these Caribbean species grow on twigsin bright light.
5 Soft osmunda is good to stuff a plasticmesh bag or other hanging support forsmall orchids that do better when theroots can grow into a mount. Smaller
pseudobulbous epidendrums andbrassias thrive when attached to amesh bag filled with soft osmundahung in a bright location.
6 Redwood bark chips are common asa potting material but may also bestuffed in mesh bags to createhanging supports or used around thebase of a mounted orchid set in aclay pot for support.
7 Ground tree fern is used mainly inpotting mixes.
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small enough to grow on a wine cork,as are companion tillandsias, some-times splitting the corks to grip theplant base. Tiny orchids do better ontraditional wine cork stoppers becausethe surface is more porous and naturalcork holds moisture, unlike the plasticcorks now on the market. However, thesynthetic stoppers can be used inorchid containers.
INDOOR LIVING SUPPORTSIndoors, potted tropical trees aresuitable living supports for orchids.Small species from the genera On-cidium, Epidendrum and Aerangis aregood choices to fasten directly on treebark or branches. Of course, chunks oftree fern or cork holding orchids canalso be hung on the tree branches. Thismethod permits easy moving of theorchids.
Favorite indoor tropical trees forboth orchids and gardeners are: coffee(Coffea spp.), tea (Camellia sinensis)and citrus trees (Citrus spp.) includingfragrant flowered Meyer lemon (Citruslimon) and calamondin (Citrofortunellamitis ) . Citrus trees have sweetlyperfumed flowers. In my sunny photostudio in New York state, a singleflowering citrus shrub perfumes thewhole room. Grow these indoor treesin bright light with night temperaturesof 50 to 65 F (10 to 18 C), a goodtemperature range for many orchids. Asunroom, warmed bright porch,greenhouse or sunny southeast-facingwindow are all good locations for thesecharming indoor trees.
If you grow trees in a lightweightpeat-based potting mix, the containersare easily moved outdoors in summermonths, where trees and orchids willthrive with rain, sun and increasedfresh air. Large potted specimens canbe rolled outdoors on wooden dollybases, but take care when moving themover a door jam or up a grade.
Tree foliage protects the orchids fromhot sun in a natural dappled light manner.The selections listed above can bepruned to mature in 12- to 20-inch (30- to50-cm) pots so, although technicallytrees, the plants are cultivated indoorsas well-pruned shrubs. Even my coffeetrees, grown from seed, get pruned fromtheir usual 10- to 15-foot (3- to 4-m) heightdown to a more comfortable 5 to 6 feet(1.5 to 1.8 m) without setback.
OUTDOOR EXOTIC SUPPORTSIn tropical regions, many orchids willthrive outdoors on living trees andshrubs. Favorite supports in garden
TOP LEFT This miniature Brazilian
species, Barbosella cogniauxiana ‘Meredith
Moore’, CCM/AOS, is mounted on a slab of
cork. Grower: Dennis Dayan.
TOP RIGHT Amesiella philippinensis, a
warm-growing orchid, responds well to 60
to 65 F (16 to 18 C) nights, diffuse light and
moist conditions. Grower: J&L Orchids.
ABOVE LEFT Oncidium longipes flowers
from spring into early summer. Winter
nights of 60 to 65 F (16 to 18 C) with days
10 to 15 F (5 to 8 C) warmer are ideal.
During the summer, place the plant
outdoors in a protected location.
ABOVE RIGHT Barkeria spectabilis ‘Gail
Steiner’, CCM/AOS, has slender growths
that are well suited to growing on a tree-
fern pole or log. It thrives in bright light and
55 to 60 F nights (13 to 16 C). Misting
regularly with a fertilizer solution
encourages flowering. Grower: Dr. Steven
Steiner.
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stores. Grower Dayan likes to use blackbell wire for his mounted orchids. Smallorchids can also be attached with u-shaped staples, which are commonlyused to attach wire fencing. Thin clearmonofilament fishing line is almostinvisible and lasts for years, but it isnot easy to work with.
Larger orchids can be attached withthin strips of pantyhose (a choice ofcolors) or fine plastic mesh availablefrom recycled produce bags. Forexample, many fruits and vegetablescome in plastic mesh bags that can beeasily washed in the dishwasher orsink. Strips or pads of this mesh,stapled to cork or other supports, are aquick way to attach plants. The plastic
settings are palm trunks, coffee bushes(Coffea spp.) and big chunks ofdriftwood. Living tree ferns are popularfor Zygo. maxillare in Brazil ianmountain gardens such as the CloudForest Garden in Rio State. Rocksupports, especially porous lava stoneor well seasoned nonsalty chunks ofcoral can also be used. At the AmericanOrchid Society Visitors Center andBotanical Garden in subtropical DelrayBeach, Florida, various genera thriveoutdoors on palms, cypress (Taxodiumdistichum), live oaks (Quercus vir-giniana), tabebuias and other com-patible supports. This South Florida area,near the Everglades, is habitat to severalwell-known showy epiphytic orchids
including the honey-scented Encycliatampensis (syn. Epidendrum tampense),Cyrtopodium punctatum, Encyclia coch-leata (syn. Prosthechea) and Brassiacaudata.
Some Asian genera such asDendrobium and Vanda also do wellon trees in the AOS garden. If you areone of the fortunate people who havean outdoor tropical garden, have funexperimenting with different artisticgrowing arrangements for orchidsoutdoors. The plants usually do wellon trees once they escape their pots.
HOW TO ATTACH Attach orchidsto supports with plastic-coated wiresuch as that sold on spools for gardenuse, or thin bell wire sold in hardware
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can be cut away in a year, once rootshave established on the support.
An alternative is the adhesive LiquidNails, which is sold at hardware stores.Also look for support materials suchas buttonwood chunks (Conocarpuserectus), on which epiphytes grow inSouth Florida; California grapewood;cedar slabs; Cholla cactus skeleton woodand the cork oak bark.
PADDING Some orchid growersput a small wad of moist sphagnummoss between the support and orchidroots. This acts as a reserve formoisture, important in dry areas.
In warm central Thailand, KhunYudhna Tanavigasit grows cattleyasand dendrobiums on many of the palm
OPPOSITE LEFT Installing a vertical piece
of wire mesh in a greenhouse provides
ample room for hanging mounted orchids.
OPPOSITE TOP RIGHT A dendrobium in a
coconut husk attached to a Borassus palm
(ton tan) at a seaside garden in Chonburi
province, Thailand. In cooler climes, small
epiphytes can be attached directly onto
coffee and citrus trees indoors, or the
mounted specimens can
be suspended on their branches.
OPPOSITE ABOVE RIGHT Oncidium
pulchellum ‘Skippy’, FCC-CCM/AOS, is
also known under the name Tolumnia
pulchella. It thrives with bright light, 60 to 65
F (16 to 18 C) nights, and soakings on
bright mornings. In their island habitats,
plants of this species live on scrubby trees
and may receive enough direct sun to
induce a maroon cast to the foliage.
Grower: Benjamin Berliner, MD.
TOP LEFT Oberonia merrillii ‘Piping Rock’,
CCM-CHM/AOS, on a cork slab.
Grower: Piping Rock Orchids.
ABOVE LEFT Ornithocephalus inflexus,
growing on a slab of tree fern, benefits
from diffuse light. Grower: J&L Orchids.
ABOVE Doritaenopsis Anna-Larat
Soekardi ‘Maria Teresa’, HCC/AOS (Doritis
pulcherrima × Phalaenopsis parishii), is a
primary hybrid. This specimen is on a cork
slab. Grower: Carlos Fighetti.
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MOUNTED ORCHIDS Photographed by Charles Marden Fitch
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trunks at his Bangsai Gardens displaynursery. Tanavigasit finds that theseorchids establish best when mounteddirectly on the trees during the rainyseason, June into September. In drierseasons, the plants are slow toestablish, even with pads of moist mossor coconut husk. In my greenhousecollection, I mist recently mountedplants until new roots extend severalinches onto the new support . Toencourage growth, I add 1/2 teaspoonof Super Thrive liquid to each gallon(1.2 ml to 3.8 l) of fertilizer solution.
EXPERIENCES In my owncollection, I have had success withsmall-growing angraecoids such asAerangis on coffee tree trunks andseveral compact Oncidium species ontree fern slabs. My Oncidium longipesthrives on a 1-inch- (2.5-cm-) thick slabof tree fern, growing in the greenhouseduring cold weather, and outdoors from
June into September. The same routineworks for hybrids of Encyclia cordigera(syn. Epidendrum atropurpureum).
One of these pseudobulbousleathery-leaved hybrids began grow-ing on a plaque of oak wood then grewoff the top after a few years. I attacheda chunk of compressed coconut fiberto the oak plaque. Now the orchid hasgrown off the oak onto the coconutfiber chunk. Oncidium nanum grewwell, flowering regularly when grownon a thick slab of tree fern. Tree-fernslabs retain moisture for several daysafter being soaked.
Inside, mounted orchids will do wellwith regular applications of a balancedwater-soluble fertilizer. I mix the fertilizerat one half the rate listed on the package,but apply at least every three wateringswhen plants are making new growths.Regular watering and fertilizer isimportant for orchids grown on supports.
Unlike orchids in pots, they have noreserve of moisture or nutrients aroundthe roots.
FINDING SUPPORTS You willfind cork slabs and tree-fern poles atmost garden supply centers. Orchidgrowers with catalogs also offer thesein the back of the catalogs. Severalorchid supply firms advertise inOrchids magazine so it is easy for youto find a supplier for the orchid supportsyou want. When you visit orchid showsand commercial nurseries, you are likelyto find some of the smaller orchidsalready established on hanging slabs,plaques and logs.
Charles Marden Fitch was awarded theAmerican Orchid Society’s highesthonor, the Gold Medal of Achievement,on September 30, 1995. 1120 CoveRoad, Mamaroneck, New York 10543 (e-mail [email protected]).
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LINKShttp://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/
orchids/2003024815005219.htmlThe Orchid FAQs section ofGardenWeb offers a concise overviewthat covers the methods and materialsused to mount orchids.
http://viviorchids.com/orcnr-42.htmlIn “Treasures in Your South FloridaGarden,” Vivian of Vivi’s Orchid Corneroffers great advice about mountingorchids outdoors in tropical andsubtropical climates, including sun-tolerant genera, orchids well suited tobedding plantings, which trees makebetter mounts and more.
