Which species will be good to hang in treers?

[dbloom]

G'day. I have a large elm tree in my backyard (Sydney Australia) with a lot of low horizontal branches in easy reach. I'd like to "decorate" them with "baskets" of orchids but don't know which species would be suitable. Can anyone make some suggestions.
Kind regards dbloom (Dudley)

[Bud]

you didnt provide us with a growing zone nor where you're located in Australia ... and I didnt see a list of orchids on your profile so its hard for me to suggest...
but assuming that you will buy new orchids:
you have vandas, mokaras and ascocendas hanging on that tree with loose roots freely that takes humidity from the atmosphere...its spring down under and will be summer soon...the vandacious plants love humid and warm weather and lots of bright light but not direct sun...
most orchids cling on trees and happily thrive; provided it is warm and humid and with filtered sunlight
good luck! happy growing and post pictures of your blooms...all of us would love to see it

[Orchidreamer]

I think it is pretty hot in the summers where you live? Just a guess though. Laelia anceps is a tough species that tolerates high temps and doesn't mind drought (too much). I think it'll do well in a basket. I don't know how the weather is like in your area...mine is only a young plant, but when it gets bigger I'm going to hang it on a tree in my front yard, along with my vandas/rhynchostylis/misc species.

[dbloom]

Thanks Bud. I'm off to our Orchids Growing Society tonight so I'll ask some of the locals too. I have this vision of baskets of orchids similar to the Orchid House in Singapore where they just dazzle the eye - I'll be much less than that 'though.
Kind regards Dudley

[dbloom]

You're right about the hot summers - we sometimes get to 40 C. I hope the tree will both shade them and provide a micro-climate with high humidity I can water up high to promote humidity and layer compost on the ground below - would that work?
Thanks for the input - I'll keep posting re the results
Kind regards dbloom (Dudley)

[camille1585]

Like mentioned, Vandaceous orchids are always a good bet for hanging outside in climates like yours.
Maybe Brassavola nodosa could be good, they like lots of light (and also lots of water in the growing season)

[epiphyte78]

Out of curiosity...have you considered attaching the orchids directly on the tree?

[Bud]

that would be nice if Dudley's location down under doesnt have winter frost that can be deadly to any orchid much less attached to trees.
Dudley must provide us his location in Australia to really give him a sound advice.
Otherwise we are just assuming and it is dangerous for the orchids he grows.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Bud

that would be nice if Dudley's location down under doesnt have winter frost that can be deadly to any orchid much less attached to trees.
Dudley must provide us his location in Australia to really give him a sound advice.
Otherwise we are just assuming and it is dangerous for the orchids he grows.

He did provide his location in his first post : Sydney. From what I've heard from cousins living near there, it rarely freezes in the winter.

[epiphyte78]

Originally Posted by Bud

that would be nice if Dudley's location down under doesnt have winter frost that can be deadly to any orchid much less attached to trees.
Dudley must provide us his location in Australia to really give him a sound advice.
Otherwise we are just assuming and it is dangerous for the orchids he grows.

Well...I did see where he wrote that he's from Sydney. But now I'm curious...can you offer some examples of places in Australia that are too cold for any epiphytic orchids to grow outside year around?