Ascda roots grabbing tree - Orchid Board

Swamper · #1 10-23-2008, 11:58 AM

This Ascda Hatos Sunshine has really grown some roots and grabbed on to the tree. You can see the first pic from a few months ago how the roots turned and stretched and are now grabbing on in the next 3 pics. I thought it was really cool. I hope you like it too.

Grandma M · #2 10-23-2008, 02:05 PM

OH THOSE ROOTS. Only in the south can you grow roots like that. I seem to be obsessed with vanda roots.

Marilyn

camille1585 · #3 10-23-2008, 02:18 PM

That is cool, it looks like it's giving the tree a hug!! So what do you do about it is you have to move in a few years? Dig up the tree and take it with you?

Swamper · #4 10-23-2008, 02:27 PM

Marilyn I too am obsessed with vanda roots for many reasons, mainly how huge they get.
Camille, I think about that whenever I donate one to a tree. IF I ever move I will ask the new owner if they like it and if they say yes then I will leave it after blessing it and kissing itgoodbye LOL. If they don't look like they care for it then I will carefully remove it.

cb977 · #5 10-23-2008, 02:30 PM

Oooooo...happy, happy!

nenella · #6 10-23-2008, 03:16 PM

Very Cool! & yes, as Camille said: It really is giving that tree a huge hug! Is obviously loving where it is! Congratulations!, keep us posted please I would love to see it again.

JennS · #7 10-23-2008, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grandma M

OH THOSE ROOTS. Only in the south can you grow roots like that. I seem to be obsessed with vanda roots.

Marilyn

Marilyn,

I have to agree. I too am obsessed with them! I even bought a succulent because it looked alot like vanda roots to me! Their roots are just divine!

Swamper,

Thanks for sharing. That is really cool. One day when I own a house, I might try this out too...maybe on baby trees that I could remove if need be. Anyway, it looks great, good job!

epiphyte78 · #8 10-23-2008, 04:47 PM

Those are some beautiful roots! That's awesome. What kind of tree is that? After you posted those photos of the Encyclia mounted on the Floss Silk Tree, I mounted some NOID Cattleyas to my Floss Silk Tree. The roots have attached themselves nicely.

Lately I've been trying to figure out just how much tree transpired water an orchid can absorb when it is mounted on a tree. According to the wikipedia article on transpiration, a full grown tree can lose several hundred gallons of water through its leaves on one hot day. That's a lot of water.

Leaf transpiration, an important part of photosynthesis, occurs through stomata. I'm guessing that because your trunk is somewhat green that photosynthesis is occurring and that stomata are present. Not sure at what density stomata occur but I picture the orchid root being able to absorb some of the moisture that is being released by the stomata around it and perhaps under it as well. Logically, the fatter the root the more stomata it will cover.

Practically speaking, all things being equal, an orchid mounted on a photosynthetic trunk might need somewhat less water than an orchid mounted on a non-photosynthetic trunk. Wish I knew exactly how much less water.

Perhaps if there is anybody that took a botany class they can elaborate on the plausibility of my theory.