Orchids and palm trees are both icons of the tropics. By combining them in the landscape, it’s possible to create a stunning exotic showcase. Growing orchids on palms allows the graceful flowers to cascade artfully down the trunks for a look that is nothing short of spectacular.
In their native habitats, orchids commonly grow perched on trees The rainforest canopy provides the light, humidity, and air circulation the epiphytic orchids need to thrive Palm trees make excellent host trees to mimic this natural environment. Their smooth, upright trunks are ideally suited for displaying cascading sprays of orchid blooms.
Why Grow Orchids on Palm Trees?
There are several key advantages to mounting orchids on palm trees:
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Ideal Environment – Palms enjoy the same warm, humid, brightly lit conditions as orchids Growing them together provides ideal overlap in needs
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Air Circulation – With orchids elevated on palms, the flowers get the airflow they require to remain healthy Stagnant air can lead to fungal diseases.
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Showcase – Palms provide the perfect aerial perch to show off orchids to their best advantage. The flowers and dangling roots stand out beautifully.
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Longevity – Palms hold onto their leaves for years. This gives orchid roots ample time to fully affix to the trunk before leaves shed.
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Texture – Palm bark has just the right texture and contours for orchid roots to grasp. Smooth, but with some friction.
Orchids thrive in palm trees because the partnership uniquely caters to their environmental preferences. Palms lend support while creating an ideal microclimate.
Best Types of Orchids for Mounting on Palms
When selecting orchids for mounting on palms, small varieties that will not overgrow the trunk space are best. Some top options include:
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Moth orchids – Compact moth orchid hybrids adapt readily to palms. Their showy blooms come in many colors.
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Vandas – With their bouquet-like sprays, mini vanda orchids are perfectly suited for palm mounting.
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Oncidiums – These “dancing lady” orchids tolerate heat well and provide heavy bloom. Go for compact types.
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Bulbophyllums – Prolific bloomers that thrive in tropical warmth. Miniature hybrids work well.
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Cattleyas – Look for smaller cattleya varieties under 8 inches wide. They’ll flourish without weighing down palms.
Focus on hybrids bred to have a compact, miniature growth habit. This will keep them in scale as they mature on the palm trunks.
Best Palms for Mounting Orchids
For success growing orchids on palms, choose suitable palm varieties like:
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Lady palms – A small species that tolerates low light. Maximum height around 10 feet.
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Parlor palms – Compact and durable for indoor culture. Ideal for bright interiors.
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Pygmy date palms – Graceful look. Matures under 10 feet, so orchids are easy to reach.
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Triangle palms – Naturally shed lower fronds, exposing trunk space for orchids.
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Spindle palms – Slender trunk and moderate size make them excellent for orchid mounting.
Focus on smaller palm species and varieties that best match your climate and space limitations. Prioritize those that shed older leaves to continually provide mounting space on trunks.
Mounting Orchids on Palm Trunks
Attaching orchids to palm trunks takes some specialized supplies and techniques:
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Select a sturdy, mature palm tree for mounting orchids. Avoid thin, unstable trunks.
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Identify a space on the trunk that is smoother with some texture and bright, indirect light.
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Gather needed supplies – moss, twist ties/fishing line, fertilizer, scissors, etc.
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Wrap damp sphagnum moss around the mounting spot to create a root pocket.
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Carefully situate the orchid base against the moss pocket.
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Use twist ties or fishing line to gently secure the orchid in place by the base.
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Mist the orchid roots and moss with dilute fertilizer to encourage attachment.
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Add more ties as needed while roots establish over 3-6 months.
Proper contact between the roots and moss, humidity, and ample time for anchoring are vital for success.
Caring for Mounted Orchids on Palms
To keep mounted orchids thriving on palm trees, provide attentive care:
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Light – Palms may not provide sufficient light. Supplement with grow lights or bright windows.
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Warmth – Maintain temperatures of 65-80°F during the day and 60-70°F at night.
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Humidity – Use humidifiers, pebble trays, and misting to keep humidity around 50-70%.
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Air Circulation – Small fans prevent stagnant, moist air around plants.
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Water – Water when moss is almost dry. Flush mineral buildup every few months.
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Fertilizer – Feed weekly with dilute orchid fertilizer to nourish plants.
Monitor orchids closely and make adjustments to ensure optimum light, moisture, and humidity at all times. Proper care is essential for healthy, long-lasting specimens.
Enjoying the Tropical Look
Graceful orchids on palm trees create a tropic landscape feel few other plants can match. Though it takes careful selection and some effort to get started, the end result is an exotic showstopper. The symbiotic partnership between orchids and palms results in beautiful cascades of unforgettable blooms.
Growing orchids on palms brings the rainforest indoors or outdoors in a stunning yet carefree way. The sight of delicate orchids perched on palm trunks is sure to impress all who see it.
Hanging Orchids In Your Trees
Tie the orchid to the tree trunk or branches with either a cotton string, twine, some twist ties, plastic ties, or nylon.
Pro Tip: You can often find old panty hose at thrift stores and cut strips to attach your orchids to your trees. Remember, it may take up to a year for the orchid to attach to the trees. Attach the orchid in the spring and it will have the warm months to grow.
This particular orchid has attached itself to the tree and has been in the garden for several years. The stems are drooping down and the buds at the bottom will bloom soon. This is a tree that allows for lots of air movement and has the proper light conditions. Additionally, the tree also has a rough bark that is for root attachment.
The south side of the tree is generally best suited for orchid attachment. You’ll want a spot with partial shade. An area that still gets plenty of filtered sunlight would be ideal.
Keep a close eye on your orchid and the surroundings once you’ve hung it. In South Florida, we generally have enough humidity to keep the exposed root system with enough moisture. Depending on your conditions you may need to mist the orchid roots daily. Remember that once you’ve removed your orchid from the pot, there is no soil to protect the roots. You don’t want them to dry out and they will need time to adapt to their new surroundings!
You may be tempted to add sphagnum moss or other potting materials to help keep everything moist, and for some situations, it is a good option, but it definitely has its drawbacks. You need to take into consideration what type of orchid and tree you’re working with along with the climate of your area. I encourage you to research it!
When you grow orchids on trees, the roots only need the basics: air and water. However, to enhance active growth you can help by fertilizing monthly during the warm growing months. Use a specialized orchid fertilizer to apply to the roots with a mister.
Above all, do not remove any of the roots. You might harm the plant and make it weaker and more susceptible to diseases. Have fun with it and enjoy the beauty of orchids in your garden! When the weather begins to turn cold at night it’s time to cover up the orchid for hibernation if possible. Alternatively, you can try prying the roots off the tree and potting once again, bringing the orchid in for a winter’s rest. Experiment with your orchids and enjoy!
Do you enjoy faux tropicals as well and mix them up with the real in your home? Here are some favorite sources that you might enjoy:
Grow Orchids On Trees With These Easy Tips
Orchids are epiphytes, which means that they grow on other plants. You’ll often find them in trees in their native tropical environs such as rainforests. The orchids that we have had seem to do best in the warm humid air. The surrounding garden can provide all the plant’s necessary water and nutrients. Nevertheless, orchids are not just for tropical climates and there are more than 200 orchid species native to North America. You should be able to grow orchids on trees in zones 5 through 9.
It’s important to note though that they likely will not survive once temperatures grow cooler than 50 degrees. Enjoy them during the spring and summer months and cover them when the weather turns cool, especially around December and January.
In contrast to the beauty of the orchid’s flowers, the root or stem is rather strange looking. It’s these roots that allow for a symbiotic relationship with trees. We placed the orchids in the trees when they were out of bloom.
The gangly roots will stick to the tree branches and that happens over time
Growing orchids on outside trees
FAQ
What are the best orchids to mount on trees?
In sun, consider vandas. In dim light, try oncidiums, phalaenopsis and cattleyas. Many varieties are suitable for intermediate conditions. A local orchid nursery can help make selections.
Where is the best place to put an orchid outside?
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Light:Orchids thrive in bright, indirect light, not direct sunlight, which can scorch their leaves.
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Shade:Consider a location that provides partial shade, especially during the hottest part of the day.
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Wind Protection:Orchids can be damaged by strong winds, so choose a sheltered spot.
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Watering:Orchids need regular watering, especially in the summer heat, so ensure easy access to water and consider an automated sprinkler system if possible.
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Humidity:Orchids prefer higher humidity, so consider misting the plants in the morning or hosing down the surrounding area to increase humidity.
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Pest and Animal Protection:Keep orchids out of reach of animals like squirrels and raccoons, and be vigilant for pests.
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Specific Orchid Types:Different orchid species have different light and moisture needs, so research the specific needs of your orchids.
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Transitioning Orchids:If moving orchids from indoors to outdoors, acclimate them gradually to the new environment, starting with a few hours a day and gradually increasing the time spent outside.
What is the relationship between orchids growing on trees?
Orchids show a symbiotic relationship with trees in which they get their nutrition from them. This is a healthy relationship in which no harm is done to the trees and there is no benefit to trees from Orchids. Such a type of symbiotic relationship is called Commensalism.
Do orchids attach themselves to trees?
Orchids are epiphytes; they attach to trees, but don’t actually penetrate the bark (which is the mark of a parasite). The best trees for orchids are those with bark that has good texture, and is “groovy”. This gives the seed a place to nestle and be protected while it germinates and grows.