Can I attach Phalaenopsis Orchid to a Tree ?

7 years ago

I recently bought a nice Phalaenopsis Orchid and for now I am enjoying it's 2 stems covered with blossoms. When it's done blooming I would like to attach it to a large Live Oak and let it live there. Anyone have advice about doing and how to attach it?

Featured Answer

Ben(8b/9a north FL)

7 years ago

Phales can easily be naturalized on a tree, provided a few things are taken into consideration. Phales like heavy shade and burn easily in direct sun or even very bright light. They need a very shady mount location that stays shaded throughout the day. Even a few minutes of direct sun will cause severe burn damage.

They are in the vanda family and never stop growing, given enough warmth and water and nutrients. In nature they grow hanging down as the picture already posted shows, this is to let water run down and avoid water collecting n the crown and causing bacterial rot to develop.

I grew many orchid mounted on palms and trees in south florida and had a lawn sprinkler system in my yard. I raised a few sprinkler heads (up to 7 feet above ground and water reach up to 10 feet) on the landscape island in front of the house where 3 queen palms held many mounted orchids. I marked the height on the palms that the sprinkler water would reach and kept all mounts within that reach.

This would allow all mounted orchids to get watered every time the sprinklers kicked on. Even daily watering can be limiting to a phal unless there is some moisture retentive material padded under the roots. Phals have no pseudobulbs and rely on roots and leaves only for water storage. You can use some moss or coconut fiber for extra moisture placed under the roots. South Fla gets hot and water dries up quickly on a tree and if placed in a breezy spot it dries even faster. Plants have to be fastened to tree gently but secured firmly. If emerging roots sway with plant that is not secured, they tend to scrape on tree surface and get damaged and will stop growing. Fertilizing will supplement the natural feeding process of organic material dripping on the bark of the tree. I hardly ever fertilized my mounted orchids and they did great. Am a big proponent of mounting orchids in the landscape if the area and landscape lends itself to the task. BTW, cattleya would be a much easier start to mounting orchids on trees. They are stronger and withstand much more than phals.

See pictures below of plants that were mounted on the trees n my yard. They include cattleya, dendrobium and oncidium types. I have no pictures of the few phals I did mount.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

dirtygardener
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
What zone are you in? I saw you posted pics from Naples Botanical Gardens. If you're in Naples or Zone 10a or 10b, you can attach them to trees. Orchids that grow upright like phals should be put into a "crook" of a tree, so they can bloom upright.

Remember, the plant that is blooming now will die after blooming, and the plant will put out pups that will bloom next year -- maybe. Phals are not known to be very prolific puppers.
Katherine 10A
Original Author
7 years ago
I'm in Port Charlotte, FL
Related Professionals
Wilmington Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Riverside Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Coeur d'Alene Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Bronx Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Evansville Landscape Contractors · Toms River Landscape Contractors · Houston Landscape Contractors · Wausau Landscape Contractors · Yuma Landscape Contractors · Atlanta Kitchen Remodelers · Somerset Kitchen Remodelers · Lake Charles Kitchen Remodelers · Morgan City Kitchen Remodelers · Johnson City Kitchen Remodelers · Milwaukee Kitchen Remodelers
Joyce Vorbach
7 years ago
In zone 10 you can definitely attach to a tree using orchid tape readily found at Lowe's or HD. The phal plant doesn't die, but the flowering spike can. The spike can also re-bloom, so when it's finished blooming if it doesn't go brown you can trim slightly and leave alone. Phals do great here in the trees. You can also grow them in just a clear vase of water inside. BTW, the Naples OS is a great way to learn about all types of orchids. I also recommend the facebook groups: Florida Orchid Growers (FOG) and Newbie Florida Orchid Growers. Tons of info.
Katherine 10A thanked Joyce Vorbach
Joyce Vorbach
7 years ago
If you're in Port Charlotte you can ask the FB groups for an OS near you if that is of interest.
bea (zone 9a -Jax area)
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Phals don't die after they bloom. With good care they are a long lived plant and will bloom every year. In my collection I have 9 that are over 10 years old.

Also in nature they do NOT grow upright, with the crown facing up. They attach to trees with it facing down. That is so rain will drain out of the crown freely which is a must for phals because water standing in their crowns will result in crown rot and a dead plant. In the wild the spike hangs downward.

Katherine as long as your night temps don't get below mid 50s it will do great outside. In fact phals need a 10-15 degree drop in night temps to initiate blooming. They can withstand short periods in the 40s but aren't happy about it. And they need shade - no sun at all. They also shouldn't be allowed to totally dry out. They like moisture. If you plan to attach it to a tree you might consider applying a wad of spagnum moss over the roots to give the plant a head start.

This photo shows how they grow in nature. Not my photo.

You can also visit the Orchid forum and post your question.
Katherine 10A thanked bea (zone 9a -Jax area)
Joyce Vorbach
7 years ago
I would add that the Jacksonville Orchid Society has a fantastic website with lots of growing info.
bea (zone 9a -Jax area)
7 years ago
Yes, it was recently improved but I think the St Augustine Orchid society site is even better. And tons of great articles. I'm a member of that group and its librarian.

https://staugorchidsociety.org/culture-genus.htm
Joyce Vorbach
7 years ago
That’s funny Bea - I meant to say the St. Augustine OS, not Jacksonville. I learned a ton just by going on St. Aug’s website. Hat tip to you.
suncoastflowers
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
several of my neighbors have them in wooden baskets under the oak trees.
Katherine 10A
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks so much for all the info. Ii think I have a good spot with lits of shade from large old live oak tree. I have irrigation but it doesn't run as often in the summer and I. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I have the orchid inside and once it's done I'll give it a try.