Mounting other epiphytes together with orchids

[chaseg89]

I was wondering what everybody thinks about mounting other epiphytes such as tillandsias or birdnest ferns on the same mount as an orchid...i had envisioned kind of creating a little epiphytic garden on one large mount. However I wasnt sure how well this would work since different plants take different conditions...any opinions/comments?

[Onleme]

I can't see a problem as Birds Nest Ferns , Elkhorn Ferns Staghorn Ferns etc all grow in the wild together here in Australia, I have all these growing in my shadehouse on mounts together with the orchids, they require similar conditions as orchids and are very adabtable to whatever conditions your orchids have, They will also help to keep the humidity up. Be aware though that these get pretty big and will overgrow the orchids if on the same mount. Mount them seperately so you can move them apart when they get bigger.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by chaseg89

...any opinions/comments?

The only comment I'd have is to add to something you touched upon in your post:

Originally Posted by chaseg89

...different plants take different conditions...

Before mounting plants together, just do a bit of research, look up the cultural needs of the various plants you're thinking of putting together, and make sure they all need the same conditions.

[zaeem]

perhaps pests too that come with other plants!

zaeem

[bumpman]

I've mounted several orchids (Tolu's, Colmanara, Holcoglossom) and Tillandsia's together on the same cork bark (with some Spanish moss hanging off the mounts as well). They're in a large paludarium with both natural and artificial light, 60-70% humidity and electric fan air movement, and so far the combinations are doing well. I spray both orchid and tillie each day.

[1joyceh]

hi bumpman, welcome to the form
any chance of some pictures of your mounts??
Steve and Sonia, any pics??

[bumpman]

Yes, I'll try to get some shots and post them. I have to make five post before I can upload pics.

[bumpman]

The first is a mount with a young E. nocturnum among some tillies. The second is my paludarium with tillies, epiphytic ferns (Davallia, Asplenium, Pteris, Phlebodium), other broms like Guzmania, mounted and basket orchids (visible -Neo, Tolus, Colmanarra also with tillies), and lots of Spanish (T. usnoides).

[RebelCowgirl]

Wow beautiful Pictures

[BluPeaches]

Awesome pictures, thanks for sharing.
My inlaws are from NH.

[1joyceh]

Gorgeous bumpman....really spectacular