In nature, most orchids are epiphytes -- that is, they're able to grow in the air without soil. They grow on trees or sometimes on rocks, using the "host" only as an anchor. You can duplicate their natural habitat in your own backyard or even in your house by mounting your orchid on a tree or a piece of wood. Here Disney orchid specialist Rob Williams shows how to display your orchid to its best advantage. First choose a tree that has a rough bark. The tree (or branch) does not have to be living. Avoid trees that shed bark or exude sap such as eucalyptus or pine -- pine sap is toxic to orchid roots. Also note whether the tree loses its leaves; if it does, your orchid may receive too much sun. You can also use orchid bark mix, which may include tree fern fiber or fir bark and is available from orchid supply houses. Choose an orchid that crawls or creeps, not one that grows straight up. It's often a good idea to showcase some of the smaller orchids that would likely go unnoticed in a pot -- plants such as miniature cattleyas or brassavolas. Tie some sphagnum moss (be sure to wear gloves when handling sphagnum) to a tree branch with a length of fishing line. Wrap the line around several times until the sphagnum is firmly affixed, then knot it securely. Take the orchid out of its pot, and remove the soil from its roots. Then spread the roots and position them on the branch, placing another small wad of sphagnum on top (figure A). Arrange the orchid in a position or at an angle that seems pleasing (in nature, orchids don't grow straight up). Secure the orchid and moss to the branch with an additional length of fishing line. Orchids vary a lot in how much water they need, depending on species and location. If they're in full sun, they'll need watering at least once a day. As an alternative to growing your orchid outdoors, you may want to mount the tree bark in your home. If you don't have a space that will work for this option, you can also insert your wood or tree form into a decorative basket filled with quick cement to hold it in place. As soon as the orchid stops blooming, the plant will begin forming new roots. The orchid plant will root to the bark or tree. Once it's secure, remove the fishing line.
RESOURCES :
Garden Web Orchid Forum
Web site: www.gardenweb.com/forums/orchids
The Orchid Weblopedia
Web site: http://conbio.bio.uci.edu/orchid
6000 South Olive Ave.
Web site: http://orchidweb.org
Hortnet
Hortnet provides extensive links to online discussions about orchids, culture information and orchids societies at
www.hortnet.com/default.html.
The Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC., offers links to its orchid exhibition at
www.si.edu/resource/faq/nmah/agriculture.htm
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