Do you toss out your orchid plants after they stop blooming indoors? In this post you’ll learn how to grow orchids on trees, and it’s not that difficult to do. Don’t throw those tired orchids out!
Orchids in pots seem to be in every garden center during the spring months and they add a pop of tropical color to your home! Once the blooms have fallen, are you tempted to toss? The orchid plants are still living and can re-bloom, but in my experience it’s best done outside. You don’t need to live in the tropics, but with the right spot and care you CAN INDEED have your orchids bloom again year after year!
Welcome to my garden, or a small part of it actually. Our orchid garden is in full bloom at the moment, as it indeed is in the spring. Besides, this portion of our garden is filled with birds that are singing and nesting! A veritable paradise indeed and since we have built our entire garden from scratch it’s something to be proud of! See how it looked after a devastating hurricane HERE.
If you’re thinking about taking your potted orchid outside, first and foremost, you should learn more about your zone. Most orchids can be revived and rescued for more blooming if you use common sense about your habitat! Not sure if a full orchid garden like mine would thrive in areas that are snow capped. If you have a mild spring and summer season you definitely should experiment and possibly be able to grow orchids on trees!
Above is the side of our home, an area that has a fence dividing us from the neighbor’s property. We have about 3/4 of an acre, with most of the open spaces behind the house. I sit looking at this area while on the patio under the cover of the overhang. Seeking not only quiet, but shade, I drink my morning coffee out here, and sometimes take my laptop outside to work. We wanted to create privacy and a nice view here as well and I think that’s been accomplished.
As you we clearly have a large collection of orchids! Looks like a lot, but even so we didn’t go out and purchase these plants all at once. They were all resuscitated from orchids that were no longer in bloom. Save the orchids I say!
Grow Orchids On Trees With These Easy Tips
About Orchids
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 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 species of orchid 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.
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.
Hanging Orchids In Your Trees
Tie the orchid to the tree with either cotton twine, some twist ties or nylon. You can often find old nylon stockings at thrift stores and cut strips for hanging orchids in your trees. 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 shady spot, but an area that still gets plenty of filtered sunlight.
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 moist. 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!
When you grow orchids on trees the roots need just the basics of air and water. However, to enhance active growth you can help by fertilizing monthly during the warm growing months. Use a specialized orchid fertilizer applying 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 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. Alternately 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!
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Hi Janet,
Love this! I used to have several orchids growing on my Frangi Panni trees but Irma took them down! Thank you for inspiring me to jump into it again. I’m thinking that would be a good Mother’s Day present for myself! Do you have a Magnolia tree growing there too? I love them! I also have a magnolia tree growing in my yard. I didn’t think it would grow, but I’ve kept it alive and it survived Irma! Thanks for the beautiful post!
Hi Babette! I know that Magnolia trees live down here, but they are generally small. I’ve thought about it, but don’t have one. We do have one very old Frangipani tree and it’s starting to have it’s pink spring bloom!! Let me know if you decide to try the orchids once again.
Hi Janet,
I thought you had one because of the leaves of the one tree. They look similar. Yes, I’ve gotten the bug now that I’ve seen how beautiful yours are! Loved seeing your backyard.
I can only dream of creating a garden like this Janet. We had a nasty blizzard here in N. Ontario yesterday but today the sun is shining bright. I am fascinated to see these beautiful orchids growing in the trees. Such a beautiful scene to enjoy each day. Great article thank you!
Not sure this would work in Canada Linda, but if you have a porch and some small trees you might try the orchids in those. Thanks!
I tried an orchid long ago and it lost its blooms. I thought I’d killed it and never attempted to work with one again. Last year I had a lovely orchid given to me that seemed to thrive and then lost its blooms and appeared dead. I was so disappointed. I haven’t pitched it because I have always managed to have both healthy indoor and outdoor gardens so I hoped it was just in a dormant period and would come back. Living in the great Pacific Northwest our winters are cold enough that the poor thing would face an untimely death but I’m wondering if this would work attaching it to one of my indoor plants, like my lemon tree or ponytail palm. After reading this I’m so glad I’ve hung onto it.
They definitely aren’t dead when they lose blooms and in fact we’ve picked some of the orchids we have out of roadside trash!! I would give it a shot on patio trees. Not sure…but I’d love to know if you decide to do that.
What interesting information about growing orchids in trees. I’m fascinated!! I love orchids and think they are very beautiful. Unfortunately I don’t live in an area where I could try something like this. I have had orchids rebloom in the house over time after thinking it was dead. Now I do not throw them away after flowers fade. Your garden is spectacular!!
It really is so fascinating to cultivate these beauties and see them bloom every year! Thank you for stopping by Marilyn
Your garden with orchids looks beautiful. I live in the South Coast area of Cali. I do very successfully grow Epiphyllums in my garden in moss baskets in my Oaktree, hanging on the fence and in pots. They are starting to bloom now. I can regrow Phaelenopsis orchids inside and currently have two which have made great reblooms. It needs to be a good-sized plant for me to save it. I will try your idea with the next dormant ones. Love your posts!
Thanks Carla. Isn’t it incredible how many species of orchids there are?!!
Do i need to use moss around the roots? I usually take my orchids out of the pot and just tie them to a tree which is mostly shady. I live in South Florida.
There are many roots that have attached but not much blooming going on.
Also, sometimes my leaves look shriveled up though we get enough rain down here.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
laura
Are your trees in the bright sun all day? If so try placing the orchids under some of the branches and leaves, as they do best with partial shade. I don’t add any moss to mine and just transplant directly out of the pots.
Hello! Lovely blog! I live in Coastal Texas, it’s plenty humid and green. Can you say if there is a particular orientation to the sun that works best? I plant my lilies on the east side and they are shaded from the noonday and western sun. Would that be the same principle for orchids? Also, could you say more about how you cover your orchids in cold weather? Do you wrap a blanket around the tree? Use burlap? Cover the whole plant, or just the roots? Thank you!
PS, the font on the site is so faint! My old eyes are struggling!
What a fantastic post. I’m just starting to get into orchids and got great inspirations from you. I’m ‘Down Under’ so have to refer American zones to suit Australian climate.
Am following you for more great stuff.
Cheers
Wayne
We have loads of orchids in our garden Wayne and they continue to bloom year round in our zone!