pretty cool image of a tree in the rain to get your brain thinking about epiphytes

[DirtyCoconuts]

this is a small (35') banyan tree in the parking lot of my office.

it these pics it has been raining, not torrential, but steady for over a day.

there are large portions of the tree that are BONE dry and some that are pooling water.

the magical ecosystem that exists in and on the other plants is AMAZING and a pretty good reminder about how all of our ALWAYS and NEVER rules are largely ignored by Big Mama Earth when she's tending her plants

Some stuff. Plant related by J Solo, on Flickr

Some stuff. Plant related by J Solo, on Flickr

[Leafmite]

Pretty neat. What orchids naturally grow on these trees?

[DirtyCoconuts]

Down here Banyans are usually occupied by Tillys....a lot. I have seen many ‘placed’ orchids thrive in them but unfortunately no natives

[Leafmite]

I am guessing that the orchids would grow where they get what they need and avoid the areas of the tree where they do not. Same with the air plants.

[DirtyCoconuts]

so i have not been at my office in two months but there is a skeleton staff there to receive mail and forward docs etc...
When i left i knew it would be a while before i was back so i gifted two office orchids to my buddy the receptionist and put one rehab project in a crevice of this tree figuring it was a goner no matter what


today i got these pics...
Poinsienas and myr. by J Solo, on Flickr

Poinsienas and myr. by J Solo, on Flickr

same tree, i used the pics to see where it would be wet

[fishmom]

Ooh, that's great! Has it produced any new leaves, or just the blooms?

[DirtyCoconuts]

i have not been there in person but i'll ask my buddy to get closer..it was a crown rotted phal with two basal keikis so i imagine they are rocking

[WaterWitchin]

Floridian intensity. Go figure.

[Ray]

I cannot speak specifically to banyan trees in rainforests, but in the little bit of rainforest exploring I've done, every surface of every tree - OK, everything - stays absolutely saturated. Dry areas appear to be things of myth in that environment.

[DirtyCoconuts]

lol, i imagine that is quite true...I've done some camping in costa rica and dry tinder is not a thing there lol

im not in a rain forest though, nice sub tropical coastal swamp