My tree is still very much a work in progress. I have to start some of my items with a mix to get them going, but the ferns will eventually cover that. I purchased a L. anceps last fall to grow on it, but since it already had three long spikes, I decided to wait until after it bloomed to install. Unfortunately, my "tree" is under the house eaves, so it did not get the benefits of this lovely rain we have been having.

I was told by the sellers that Encyclia prismatocarpa wouldn't work on the tree. What do you think?

Encyclia prismatocarpa grow on tree branches in habitat. So as long as it can handle whatever your low temps are, I don't see why not.

Someone in my neighborhood has succulents wedged into the scales of a cycad...does that count? ;-)

Thanks Nil13, I might give it a try. I wasn't impressed with the people at the booth--these plants were unlabeled, and one insisted it was a zygo. I kept saying I didn't think so and that it looked nothing like the zygos directly beside it. He insisted it was "A different type of zygo." lol I was thinking possibly Encyclia, but had no idea which one. Finally someone else was manning the booth and I got the name. Thought I'd give it a go even though he said not for the tree--it was only $10 for the 6" pot.

Stan, I made friends with a family of raccoons and they thoroughly trashed some of the orchids that I had attached to my trees. The larger orchids were better off... same with the orchids that weren't on the main "highway".

gyr_falcon, you're going to attach ferns to your tree? If so, which ones? I had to remove the common rabbit's foot fern (Davallia) from my tree because it got way too happy and smothered a couple orchids. I wouldn't attach Platycerium bifurcatum or veitchii to my tree because they'd quickly use up space that could be used for a larger variety of epiphytes. In economic terms, the opportunity cost would be way too high.

Regarding Laelia anceps, I think it's still a bit early in the year to attach it to a tree. The best time to do so is when the new roots are just starting to emerge. For best blooming and growth anceps sure does like a lot of light. The closer to the coast somebody is, the more direct sun their anceps should receive.

I wouldn't recommend using any moss when attaching it to the tree. The most important thing is to make sure that the orchid is very tightly attached to the tree. If there's ANY wriggle room then there's a chance that the tips of the new roots will break and the orchid will languish. Then you'll have to reattach it and hope that the orchid has enough energy left to establish. Personally, I use fishing line with a slip knot that I can tightly cinch and tie off without losing any tension.

The warmer it is, the more frequently I water the anceps. For the past few summers I've watered the tree that my anceps is on twice a week... at night. Watering at night means less evaporation. I should note that the anceps on my tree has an extensive root system so it's more efficient at hydrating. Newly attached anceps will have to be watered a bit more frequently.

Since the roots are so important, you really want to be vigilant for slugs. Slugs love to climb trees and eat the actively growing root tips. This will really set the orchid back. Less frequent water means less slugs. And ideally you want to keep the base of the tree as clear as possible. Plus, you really don't want to attach orchids any lower than chest height.

Regarding Encyclia prismatocarpa... it's a neat one. Unfortunately, I killed mine... maybe from too little water. According to the Orchid Encyclopedia... it's Panarica prismatocarpa now. Sounds like you got a good deal on yours. If I was going to attach one to my tree, I'd probably put it on the shady side (which is still relatively bright) and give it a pretty good helping of moss.

Right now I have Anacheilium/Prosthechea cochleata blooming on my tree. It's somewhat similar to prismatocarpa but more commonly grown outdoors here in SoCal. Generally though I prefer the "true" Encyclias. These tend to have very round pseudobulbs and are more drought tolerant. Though they do want a bit more heat/sun. One of my favorites is Encyclia cordigera. Here's a video of it blooming on my tree.

Argh! The site went down and ate my long reply the other day.

I'm too old, and been through way too many plant name changes. Now I just refer to them by the name that comes to mind when I think of the plant. I've found that many aren't familiar with the newer name anyway, which just causes additional confusion; the rest generally are familiar with the previous names.

Using some ferns and bromeliads on the tree; some rabbit's foot, but I've used it before on trees. I don't really have a problem with what ends up growing best--and everything is within easy maintenance reach if control is necessary. Might try a bit of Pyrrosia lingua 'Ogon Nishiki' on a base or tree crotch rock just because I like to experiment.

Because I cannot/won't water frequently enough for bare attachment, I use a bark based orchid mix, sans pot (using a self-designed technique), to establish the plants. As the plants grow, they often will then root attach directly to the tree, allowing for later removal of the mix portion with division and leaving the securely attached section on the tree, if desired.

The orchids that I am using were inexpensive, or not particularly special, so I'm fine if the results are hit and miss. So far I have a E. cochleata, Maxillaria, and have plans to add a Coelogyne flexuosa.