What to put on a S California tree

[Roberta]

Thanks! Enjoy visiting often!

[estación seca]

I see you grow Epidendrum oerstedii in the greenhouse all year. Are your summers too cool for it, or is there another reason? Thanks.

[Roberta]

It could certainly grow outside in summer, but it seems happy to be left in place. Pretty much everything in the GH could be grown outside in summer (although things that need humidity probably really do need it) The plants that do get moved out for the summer are mostly those that prefer the outdoors, mostly for light. Example would be the Vandas that I move in for the winter because of the cold. The outdoor light is better, so out they go as soon as I can get away with it. Epi oerstedii seems to be fine in the GH, needs the winter warmth, so there it stays. That simple... logistics.

[epiphyte78]

That's really awesome that you plan to attach some orchids to a tree! I really love seeing orchids on trees. Plus, I'm pretty sure that they are happier on trees because their roots are free to ramble and roam all over the tree. More roots means a happier orchid. Plus, orchids on a tree have excellent drainage. And... you don't have to worry about repotting!

A while back I attached a bunch of orchids to my large Cedar tree and most have done really well. I'm pretty happy with them but... if I had to do it all over again then I'd probably favor orchids that are pollinated by hummingbirds. My hummingbirds have done a really good job brainwashing me! Each time they sing their squeaky songs it really sounds like they are saying... "We want more orchids that match our preferences!"

At the orchid show at the Huntington this last October I picked up a really nice blooming cross from SVO for $12...

Ctna. Why Not ‘Red Gold’ AM/AOS x Epc. Kyoguchi 'M. Sano' Mutation

Why Not = Guarianthe aurantiaca x Broughtonia sanguinea
Kyoguchi = Guarianthe aurantiaca x Encyclia incumbens

I've read that both G aurantiaca and B sanguinea are pollinated by hummingbirds and sure enough... when I inspected the cross's flowers a few days after I purchased it... most of the pollen was missing. Fortunately... the flowers didn't wilt and they've lasted up until just recently.

The flowers on this cross aren't very large but, thanks to the Encyclia incumbens, you do get quite a few of them. Plus... they have a nice reddish color that should stand out really well on a tree.

I'm guessing that Guarianthe aurantiaca should be fine growing 5 miles from the coast. Not sure about Broughtonia sanguinea though. It does seem to appreciate some decent heat. The closer to the coast that somebody lives... the more direct sun I recommend they give to the heat lovers.

A really nice hummingbird orchid that prefers cooler temps is Prosthechea vitellina. It's pretty stunning and I've really wanted one for a really long time but I was under the impression that my summer temps were too warm for it. A couple months ago I said heck with it and purchased one. I also managed to find a few crosses with it. Hopefully they'll have a nicely wide range of growing temps.

I'd love to try and grow Prosthechea vitellina crossed with everything. Especially other hummingbird orchids like Guarianthe aurantiaca, Broughtonia sanguinea, Epidendrum secundum and so on. Then my hummingbirds will have plenty of orchids to choose from.

[Roberta]

I'm not the one mounting on a tree, estación seca was looking for some ideas... but I know that you have done a LOT of that. With regard to E. vitellina crosses... I acquired an unnamed cross of E. vitellina x E. Green Hornet made by Dan Asbell. (Asbell Orchids is in the Central Coast area, but Dan has spoken at South Coast a couple of times, has sold at Fascination of Orchids). The red color got lost - it's yellow, but it is an interesting mix of both parents, long lasting flowers that open sequentially like the Green Hornet parent (which is sort of E. cochleata on steroids) and not as picky about temperature as E. vitellina

[epiphyte78]

Originally Posted by Roberta

I acquired an unnamed cross of E. vitellina x E. Green Hornet made by Dan Asbell.

Very nice! I'd love some pollen from it next time it blooms!

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by epiphyte78

Very nice! I'd love some pollen from it next time it blooms!

I'll grab some for you, sure.

[Orchidsoutdoors]

There are quite a few Cattleya species that should work, jongheana, walkeriana and particularly nobilior.

[estación seca]

I started this thread a year ago. I mailed the Laelia gouldiana 'Greta Garbo' to my mom, and my brother tied it to her tree. She watered it with a squirt gun. The plant grew. I visited for Christmas and the plant is in bud.

Thanks for the advice.

[Roberta]

Well done!