Many of the commonly grown orchids or the parents/grandparents of many of the modern hybrids are epiphytic plants, which is a plant growing upon another plant. Generally, many orchids are grown in pots for our convenience and not the convenience of the plant. These plants would feel right at home growing somewhere in the canopy of a tree in the jungle. Certain orchids need to be grown mounted due to their physical restrictions, such as pendulous growth or less than desirable results from pot culture. Also, in areas that are subtropical and frost-free, orchids can be naturalized as part of the landscape. The aesthetics and results obtained by growing the orchids mounted can be quite rewarding, and at the same time, not much more effort is required than for good pot culture.

Materials Needed to Naturalize Your Plant

In the subtropic regions, orchids can be placed in and around trees and shrubs in a placement that will allow for good observation, ease of maintenance, and adequate cultural conditions. Attention needs to be placed on providing adequate shade during midday and the permanence of the host plant. For those that don’t have a suitable year-round outdoor habitat, substitutes must be found. Materials that we have found to work well include tree fern, cork oak bark, white oak sticks and smaller branches, grapevine trimmings, and western cedar (split-rail fence/shingles). Other materials that we know work well are cypress roots and wood, manzanita, driftwood, cholla cactus skeletons, and juniper branches. There are probably many other things that work well for a mount, but consideration needs to be taken of the wood’s rot resistance, ability to hold its bark for a number of years, and also the absence of toxic compounds or tannins in the natural wood. Walnut and many pines cannot be used because of their toxic nature or heavy resins within the wood. You may also need sphagnum moss or coconut coir for moisture retention (picture bottom right). Displayed on both sides are pictures of the common materials that can be used.