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Thread: Epiphyte Tree

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  1. #1
    Real Name
    Ray Barkalow
    My Grow Area
    Porch/Patio.
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Oak Island NC
    Posts
    2,103

    Default Epiphyte Tree

    Last Spring I started an "epiphyte tree" for out on the deck (Lord knows what I'll do over the winter).





    The glazed terra cotta planter has four drainage holes, so I covered them with masking tape and stuck pieces of 1/4" polyethylene tubing through them. I drilled two holes horizontally through the base of the driftwood and inserted two very long lag bolts to provide some lateral stability, then after positioning it in the planter, I filled it with quick-set concrete, the kind you pour in dry, then cover with water to seep in and cause it to set. The damned thing weighs about 25-30# now. Once the concrete had set (30-45 minutes), I extracted the PE tubing, so now it has drainage paths through the concrete.


    I started with some tillandsias and branching neoregelias on the branches, later adding tolumnias, and more recently I added some mini-vandaceous plants (V. falcata crosses). Here is the "tree" with the the orchids added, about a month ago:





    That clump of tolumnias at the base decided to bloom now - it's one of several Tolu. Jairak Flyer cultivars:



  2. #2
    My Grow Area
    Outside 24/7
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    All of them
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Gender
    Female
    Location
    Port Orange, Florida
    Posts
    5,155
    Member's Country Flag

    Default

    Oh wow Ray! Quite the project. It's looks great! Love the blooms too. Great colors for the fall. Are the red plants bromeliads?

  3. #3
    Real Name
    Ray Barkalow
    My Grow Area
    Porch/Patio.
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Oak Island NC
    Posts
    2,103

    Default

    Yes, the aptly-named hybrid Neoregelia Fireball.

  4. #4
    Real Name
    Leigh
    My Grow Area
    Outside 24/7
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    Cattleya
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Gender
    Male
    Location
    Just Outside Key West, FL, USA
    Posts
    511
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    Default

    Very cool project Ray.

  5. #5
    Real Name
    Geoff Hands
    My Grow Area
    Greenhouse
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    Cattleya ?
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    England, South coast.
    Posts
    4,366
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    Default

    The things we do to amuse ourselves ! But interesting, and a challenge, too.
    I once decided to grow all my cattleyas on pieces of tree branch. I live next to a forest ( the New Forest - new because it was created by a new king, in the year 1066 - yes, really ) and they did grow very well, but when the weather turned warmer, I just could not keep them wet enough.
    But, good for trade...the orchid trade !

  6. #6
    Real Name
    Bruce Brown
    My Grow Area
    Greenhouse
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    Cattleyas & Slippers
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Gender
    Male
    Location
    Arkansas
    Posts
    35,133
    Member's Country Flag

    Default

    Beautiful project, Ray! Love the color combos!

    cheers,
    BD

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