ORCHID PORTRAIT

Lending Support By Charles Marden Fitch Branches, Logs, Plaques and Slabs Can Be Home to Orchids

ABOVE Masdevallia infracta ‘Devine’, “SUPPORT ME,” SHOUT THE grape wood (Vitis vinifera) are good CCM/AOS, still growing on the branch to orchids. “I’ll grow so well with the as orchid supports. Driftwood from which is was originally attached. For right support.” freshwater lakes and rivers is an success, mist on sunny mornings, provide Sometimes our may sound attractive support for epiphytic like demanding teenagers, yet pro- orchids, while that from the sea is good air circulation and night temperatures viding a lifetime support is reasonable beautiful but usually saturated with of 55 to 60 F (13 to 16 C). This is for epiphytic orchids. In the wild, salts that harm orchid roots. Soaking one of the successive-flowering members many of our most attractive orchids in several changes of fresh water or a of the ; do not cut the thrive on tree branches, in clumps of few months outdoors in the rain usually off until they are dry. Grower: Kristine Cox. sturdy shrubs, on rocks covered with washes away enough of the sea salt to ABOVE RIGHT These cork tree branches moss or in a tree crotch filled with humus. make saltwater driftwood safe as an for sale at a nursery are among the many In captivity, supports for orchids orchid support. choices growers can use as mounts for resemble natural arrange-ments in the Wood pruned from living hardwood orchids. Pieces of tree fern, osmunda and wild. trees is suitable for orchids after being driftwood (leached of all salts) are other CHOICES Basic supports include dried for a few months. Orchid grower options. logs of suitable wood, especially and frequent winner of AOS awards hardwoods, and lighter poles of sturdy Dennis Dayan of Deal, New Jersey, OPPOSITE Aerangis rhodosticta ‘Fox Den’, tree fern. Smaller orchids do well on grows many of his small orchids on JC/AOS, mounted on a log. This orchid, chunks and slabs of tropical tree fern. wood supports. Dayan told me that native to Africa, thrives with diffuse light, Another fern product, osmunda, made seasoned (dried) fruitwood such as intermediate to warm nights of 65 to 68 F from the roots of a species of temperate- grape and apple is good, but he avoids (18 to 20 C) and regular waterings on zone swamp , can also be used as using wood from fruit trees with hard pits sunny mornings. It also grows well when a hanging support. For years, chunks (stones) — fruits such as cherry, peach attached directly to the trunk of a potted of osmunda were the preferred potting and apricot. According to Dayan, the coffee tree. Grower: Phil and Ann Jesup. material for epiphytic orchids. Density stone-fruitwood bark has a chemical that of osmunda fern root varies from soft retards orchid root growth. Orchid expert to almost hard and dense. The harder Phil Jesup of Bristol, Connecticut, has sections are best for hanging supports. success with orchids on sassafras WOOD Sections of cork bark (Sassafras albidum) logs. (Quercus suber), oak branches and Avoid using any type of wood that

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has been pressure treated with wood nucifera), both useful as orchid living inner bark. Older trees also offer preservatives. Generally, orchids do supports). In temperate areas, hard- cork from thick branches. Cork slabs best on totally natural unpainted wood, wood such as apple (Malus sp.) sold for orchid growing are priced be it branches, slabs or logs. and oak (Quercus spp.) are easily according to weight or measured size. Commercial orchid nurseries include available. I find that cork slabs last at least 10 various wood supports in the supplies CORK The bark of cork years. Usually the orchid outgrows the section of catalogs. Cork bark is (Quercus suber) comes mainly from slab before cork bark deteriorates. (In universally available at orchid commercial plantations in southern contrast, I find ground cork used as nurseries in many parts of the world. Europe, especially Spain and Portugal. potting mix needs replacement every Other wood-type supports vary ac- Cultivated cork oaks also grow in two years.) Corks from wine bottles are cording to region. For example, in California and a few Southwestern useful as slabs for tiny orchids and as Florida, cypress (Taxodium distichum) states. Cork is the outer bark, usually potting material, especially as wedges 1 slabs and above-water wood “knees” /2 to 1 inch (1.3 to 1.5 cm) thick, to push rampant rhizomes back into a are popular. In California, grapevine removed from living trees. Sturdy cork container. While most growers use wood and cactus wood (skeletons) are oaks live well over 100 years, easily pieces of cork as vertical slabs, a few offered. Lowland tropical regions, producing cork every eight or nine place the piece of cork horizontally and often near the sea, are rich in coconut years. Only the dead outer bark is attach the orchid to the “raft.” Equitant husks and coconut shells (Cocos carefully removed without injury to the and Psygmorchis pusilla are

Materials on Which to Mount Orchids

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1 Dense or hard osmunda fiber is 3 Tree-fern log section cut from a 3-foot- pseudobulbous and recommended for plants that require (1-m-) long pole. Tree-fern poles are brassias thrive when attached to a a constant supply of moisture such dense, hold moisture several days, and mesh bag filled with soft osmunda as miniature phalaenopsis and are suitable for many epiphytic genera. hung in a bright location. pleurothallids. 4 Smaller chunks of tree fern are useful 6 Redwood bark chips are common as 2 Cork oak bark slabs have a rough for equitant oncidiums. In the wild, a potting material but may also be surface that orchid roots grip tightly these species grow on twigs stuffed in mesh bags to create while still offering quick drainage in bright light. hanging supports or used around the and long life. Cork slabs can be used 5 Soft osmunda is good to stuff a plastic base of a mounted orchid set in a vertically as seen here, or hung as a mesh bag or other hanging support for clay pot for support. horizontal support similar to the log small orchids that do better when the 7 Ground tree fern is used mainly in seen in photograph 5 on page 187. roots can grow into a mount. Smaller potting mixes.

182 ORCHIDS MARCH 2005 WWW.AOS.ORG small enough to grow on a wine cork, as are companion tillandsias, some- times splitting the corks to grip the plant base. Tiny orchids do better on traditional wine cork stoppers because the surface is more porous and natural cork holds moisture, unlike the plastic corks now on the market. However, the synthetic stoppers can be used in orchid containers. INDOOR LIVING SUPPORTS Indoors, potted tropical trees are suitable living supports for orchids. Small species from the genera On- cidium, and Aerangis are good choices to fasten directly on tree bark or branches. Of course, chunks of tree fern or cork holding orchids can also be hung on the tree branches. This method permits easy moving of the orchids. Favorite indoor tropical trees for both orchids and gardeners are: coffee (Coffea spp.), tea (Camellia sinensis) and trees (Citrus spp.) including fragrant flowered Meyer lemon (Citrus limon) and calamondin (Citrofortunella mitis). Citrus trees have sweetly perfumed . In my sunny photo studio in New York state, a single flowering citrus shrub perfumes the whole room. Grow these indoor trees in bright light with night temperatures of 50 to 65 F (10 to 18 C), a good temperature range for many orchids. A sunroom, warmed bright porch, greenhouse or sunny southeast-facing window are all good locations for these charming indoor trees. If you grow trees in a lightweight peat-based potting mix, the containers are easily moved outdoors in summer months, where trees and orchids will thrive with rain, sun and increased fresh air. Large potted specimens can be rolled outdoors on wooden dolly bases, but take care when moving them over a door jam or up a grade. Tree foliage protects the orchids from hot sun in a natural dappled light manner. The selections listed above can be PHOTOGRAPHS BY CHARLES MARDEN FITCH pruned to mature in 12- to 20-inch (30- to TOP LEFT This miniature Brazilian 10 to 15 F (5 to 8 C) warmer are ideal. 50-cm) pots so, although technically species, Barbosella cogniauxiana ‘Meredith During the summer, place the plant trees, the plants are cultivated indoors Moore’, CCM/AOS, is mounted on a slab of outdoors in a protected location. as well-pruned shrubs. Even my coffee cork. Grower: Dennis Dayan. ABOVE RIGHT spectabilis ‘Gail trees, grown from seed, get pruned from TOP RIGHT philippinensis, a Steiner’, CCM/AOS, has slender growths their usual 10- to 15-foot (3- to 4-m) height warm-growing orchid, responds well to 60 that are well suited to growing on a tree- down to a more comfortable 5 to 6 feet (1.5 to 1.8 m) without setback. to 65 F (16 to 18 C) nights, diffuse light and fern pole or log. It thrives in bright light and OUTDOOR EXOTIC SUPPORTS moist conditions. Grower: J&L Orchids. 55 to 60 F nights (13 to 16 C). Misting In tropical regions, many orchids will ABOVE LEFT longipes flowers regularly with a fertilizer solution thrive outdoors on living trees and from spring into early summer. Winter encourages flowering. Grower: Dr. Steven shrubs. Favorite supports in garden nights of 60 to 65 F (16 to 18 C) with days Steiner.

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settings are palm trunks, coffee bushes including the honey-scented Encyclia stores. Grower Dayan likes to use black (Coffea spp.) and big chunks of tampensis (syn. Epidendrum tampense), bell wire for his mounted orchids. Small driftwood. Living tree ferns are popular Cyrtopodium punctatum, Encyclia coch- orchids can also be attached with u- for Zygo. maxillare in Brazilian leata (syn. ) and shaped staples, which are commonly mountain gardens such as the Cloud caudata. used to attach wire fencing. Thin clear Forest Garden in Rio State. Rock Some Asian genera such as monofilament fishing line is almost supports, especially porous lava stone Dendrobium and also do well invisible and lasts for years, but it is or well seasoned nonsalty chunks of on trees in the AOS garden. If you are not easy to work with. coral can also be used. At the American one of the fortunate people who have Larger orchids can be attached with Orchid Society Visitors Center and an outdoor tropical garden, have fun thin strips of pantyhose (a choice of Botanical Garden in subtropical Delray experimenting with different artistic colors) or fine plastic mesh available Beach, Florida, various genera thrive growing arrangements for orchids from recycled produce bags. For outdoors on palms, cypress (Taxodium outdoors. The plants usually do well example, many fruits and vegetables distichum), live oaks (Quercus vir- on trees once they escape their pots. come in plastic mesh bags that can be giniana), tabebuias and other com- HOW TO AT TACH Attach orchids easily washed in the dishwasher or patible supports. This South Florida area, to supports with plastic-coated wire sink. Strips or pads of this mesh, near the Everglades, is habitat to several such as that sold on spools for garden stapled to cork or other supports, are a well-known showy epiphytic orchids use, or thin bell wire sold in hardware quick way to attach plants. The plastic

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can be cut away in a year, once roots OPPOSITE LEFT Installing a vertical piece bright mornings. In their island habitats, have established on the support. of wire mesh in a greenhouse provides plants of this species live on scrubby trees An alternative is the adhesive Liquid ample room for hanging mounted orchids. and may receive enough direct sun to Nails, which is sold at hardware stores. OPPOSITE TOP RIGHT A dendrobium in a induce a maroon cast to the foliage. Also look for support materials such as buttonwood chunks (Conocarpus coconut husk attached to a Borassus palm Grower: Benjamin Berliner, MD. erectus), on which epiphytes grow in (ton tan) at a seaside garden in Chonburi TOP LEFT Oberonia merrillii ‘Piping Rock’, South Florida; California grapewood; province, Thailand. In cooler climes, small CCM-CHM/AOS, on a cork slab. cedar slabs; Cholla cactus skeleton wood epiphytes can be attached directly onto Grower: Piping Rock Orchids. and the cork oak bark. coffee and citrus trees indoors, or the ABOVE LEFT Ornithocephalus inflexus, PADDING Some orchid growers mounted specimens can growing on a slab of tree fern, benefits put a small wad of moist sphagnum be suspended on their branches. from diffuse light. Grower: J&L Orchids. moss between the support and orchid OPPOSITE ABOVE RIGHT Oncidium ABOVE Doritaenopsis Anna-Larat roots. This acts as a reserve for moisture, important in dry areas. pulchellum ‘Skippy’, FCC-CCM/AOS, is Soekardi ‘Maria Teresa’, HCC/AOS (Doritis In warm central Thailand, Khun also known under the name pulcherrima × Phalaenopsis parishii), is a Yudhna Tanavigasit grows pulchella. It thrives with bright light, 60 to 65 primary hybrid. This specimen is on a cork and dendrobiums on many of the palm F (16 to 18 C) nights, and soakings on slab. Grower: Carlos Fighetti.

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MOUNTED ORCHIDS Photographed by Charles Marden Fitch

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trunks at his Bangsai Gardens display June into September. The same routine Unlike orchids in pots, they have no nursery. Tanavigasit finds that these works for hybrids of Encyclia cordigera reserve of moisture or nutrients around orchids establish best when mounted (syn. Epidendrum atropurpureum). the roots. directly on the trees during the rainy One of these pseudobulbous FINDING SUPPORTS You will season, June into September. In drier leathery-leaved hybrids began grow- find cork slabs and tree-fern poles at seasons, the plants are slow to ing on a plaque of oak wood then grew most garden supply centers. Orchid establish, even with pads of moist moss off the top after a few years. I attached growers with catalogs also offer these or coconut husk. In my greenhouse a chunk of compressed coconut fiber in the back of the catalogs. Several collection, I mist recently mounted to the oak plaque. Now the orchid has orchid supply firms advertise in plants until new roots extend several grown off the oak onto the coconut Orchids magazine so it is easy for you inches onto the new support. To fiber chunk. Oncidium nanum grew to find a supplier for the orchid supports 1 encourage growth, I add /2 teaspoon well, flowering regularly when grown you want. When you visit orchid shows of Super Thrive liquid to each gallon on a thick slab of tree fern. Tree-fern and commercial nurseries, you are likely (1.2 ml to 3.8 l) of fertilizer solution. slabs retain moisture for several days to find some of the smaller orchids EXPERIENCES In my own after being soaked. already established on hanging slabs, collection, I have had success with Inside, mounted orchids will do well plaques and logs. small-growing angraecoids such as with regular applications of a balanced Aerangis on coffee tree trunks and water-soluble fertilizer. I mix the fertilizer Charles Marden Fitch was awarded the several compact Oncidium species on at one half the rate listed on the package, American Orchid Society’s highest tree fern slabs. My but apply at least every three waterings honor, the Gold Medal of Achievement, thrives on a 1-inch- (2.5-cm-) thick slab when plants are making new growths. on September 30, 1995. 1120 Cove of tree fern, growing in the greenhouse Regular watering and fertilizer is Road, Mamaroneck, New York 10543 (e- during cold weather, and outdoors from important for orchids grown on supports. mail [email protected]).

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LINKS F1 Oncidium (syn. Psychopsiella) F7 Drymoanthus minutus ‘Maike’, http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/ limminghei ‘Fox Den’, CCM/AOS, on a CBR/AOS, on a tree-fern slab. orchids/2003024815005219.html log. Grower: Phil Jesup. Grower: Fred Gordon. The Orchid FAQs section of GardenWeb offers a concise overview F2 Epidendrum porpax ‘Kathy’, F8 ‘Professor that covers the methods and materials CCM/AOS, on tree fern, hung from a Dorothy Schweitzer’, CCM/AOS, used to mount orchids. rafter. Grower: Kathy Paroubek. on tree fern. Grower: Lawrence http://viviorchids.com/orcnr-42.html In “Treasures in Your South Florida Schweitzer. Garden,” Vivian of Vivi’s Orchid Corner F3 didieri ‘Mallory Barge’, offers great advice about mounting AM/AOS, mounted on apple wood. F9 Epidendrum parkinsonianum orchids outdoors in tropical and Grower: Dennis Dayan. ‘Avalanche’, CCM/AOS, on cork. subtropical climates, including sun- Grower: Lawrence Schweitzer. tolerant genera, orchids well suited to F4 Aerangis rhodosticta growing on a bedding plantings, which trees make coffee tree in a greenhouse. F10 walkeriana ‘Marge Soule’, better mounts and more. CCM/AOS, on a red-oak slab. F5 Sophronitella violacea ‘Fox Den’, Grower: Lee Soule. CCM/AOS. Grower: Phil and Ann Jesup. F11 Oncidium dayanum ‘Greentree’, F6 Masdevallia floribunda ‘Willow Pond’, CCM-CHM/AOS. Grower: Don AM/AOS, on grape wood. Grower: Richardson for John Hay Whitney. Dennis Dayan.

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