The missing piece of the equation is that orchids are highly evolved to support microbial friends living in their roots. Microbes help provide phosphate, nitrogen, calcium, and iron. These are well studied but the reality is probably there is more, beyond just simple nutrients. Whether they live on a tree or a rock they have bacteria and fungi digesting the substrate and delivering it to the plant in exchange for sugars/nutrients in addition to the wash down. These microbes also produce plant growth regulating substances as well which adds to the complexity,
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