growing orchids in trees

[Tawny]

I have started an orchid collection.
Our local nursery sells orchids cheaply when they stop flowering.
We also have birds so I h ave created an orchid stand out of one of the big perches.
Most of the orchids have been affixed right to the bark.
We live in FL and the orchids are on my back porch area..covered.
I have a couple of questions.
One, how often do I water when they are in no medium at all? Also, is misting them with a sprayer ok if done in early morning? It seems the only efficient way to water them on a tree.
Lastly
One plant I have has a beige underside to one of the leaves. I copped that stalk off and removed the plant from the rest of them. Is this a disease? and if so is there anything I can do to keep the others from getting it?

Lastly.. I have all different types of orchids on this stand...Is there a watering schedule that would keep everyone happy?

[Dave]

Twany, what kind of orchids are you trying to grow on the tree, Vanda's or Cattleyas?

Yes orchids like to be misted and the morning is the perfect time, as you never want to water or mist your orchids when it is getting dark outside as this can lead to diseases and leaf rot.

How often to water is going to vary depending on the season. Obviously in the summertime your probably going to need to water your orchids everyday if there is no medium. In Mexico I have seen cattleyas and dendrobiums growing in trees with a little sphagnum moss to give it extra moisture.

As for your brown leaf, a Picture would be helpful as I can only imagine what it might look like... it could be leaf rot if its squishy or maybe a sun burn if its crisp, but I do not want to steer you in the wrong direction.

Hope this helps a little.

[cbbxj6]

I have about 20 orchids growing on trees.Some I put directely on to the tree and secured with fishing line,and some came mounted on tree bark and I just nailed it to the tree.Most are of the Laelia family and ar doing quite well.I water with hose in the morning and the rest of the time with the water from the sprinklers on the hill.There are 5 in spike and when I get some time I'll take a few photos and post them.
cbbxj6

[Tawny]

Originally Posted by cbbxj6

I have about 20 orchids growing on trees.Some I put directely on to the tree and secured with fishing line,and some came mounted on tree bark and I just nailed it to the tree.Most are of the Laelia family and ar doing quite well.I water with hose in the morning and the rest of the time with the water from the sprinklers on the hill.There are 5 in spike and when I get some time I'll take a few photos and post them.
cbbxj6

How often do you water them when they are mounted?
I will try to take some of my wooden stand and show how I have them set up.
They are mixed with airplants, Cryptanthus, and various other bromeliad type of plants
Sort of my own little jungle

[cbbxj6]

Sorry I didnt get back to you earlier,then I couldnt find th thread,anyway I water them at least once a day in the morning and maybe twice to 3 times a day in the hot summer months,but I make sure that I dont water to late in the evening,dont want any standing water on my plants.
cbbxj6

[Tawny]

Originally Posted by cbbxj6

Sorry I didnt get back to you earlier,then I couldnt find th thread,anyway I water them at least once a day in the morning and maybe twice to 3 times a day in the hot summer months,but I make sure that I dont water to late in the evening,dont want any standing water on my plants.
cbbxj6

Oh no problem
..wow I am way UNDER watering..I am doing it every two or three days.

[Tawny]

Oh no problem..I really appreciate your help!
..wow I am way UNDER watering..I am doing it every two or three days.
Do you just spray them with a sprayer? This is what I have been doing and some tell me NEVER to do that..not sure how else to water them though.

[Tawny]

Originally Posted by Dave

Twany, what kind of orchids are you trying to grow on the tree, Vanda's or Cattleyas?

Yes orchids like to be misted and the morning is the perfect time, as you never want to water or mist your orchids when it is getting dark outside as this can lead to diseases and leaf rot.

How often to water is going to vary depending on the season. Obviously in the summertime your probably going to need to water your orchids everyday if there is no medium. In Mexico I have seen cattleyas and dendrobiums growing in trees with a little sphagnum moss to give it extra moisture.

As for your brown leaf, a Picture would be helpful as I can only imagine what it might look like... it could be leaf rot if its squishy or maybe a sun burn if its crisp, but I do not want to steer you in the wrong direction.






Hope this helps a little.

Sorry I didn't see your response. They are on a free standing perch..under a canopy so not sunburn
I will take pictures this weekend to post.
Actually the browning has gotten better and from some of the posts here..I am underwatering.
Spagnum is a good idea..as I have SEVERAL cats on the post.
Actually it is a mix of many different types of orchids on there
I will take some pictures and let you all see

[cbbxj6]

Tawny-
Some of my mounted plants like laelias can go about 3-4 days without me watering them.I usually just use the gardn hose,and it also good because it washes the dirt and krud rom them.I'll take some photos this weekend jst hope I can figure out how to post them here.
cbxj6

[Tawny]

Originally Posted by cbbxj6

Tawny-
Some of my mounted plants like laelias can go about 3-4 days without me watering them.I usually just use the gardn hose,and it also good because it washes the dirt and krud rom them.I'll take some photos this weekend jst hope I can figure out how to post them here.
cbxj6

I have been watering them every morning..I will keep an eye and see how they like it
I really appreciate all the help guys
thanks a ton!

[Gin]

I have a lot of mounted plants in the green house , if cool I don't water them daily , But! I am in So. Mo. aka. So. misery .lol
I also have birds and use the Cactus skeletons for mounting , the holes provide air to the roots . Gin