Mounting an orchid to a palm tree mimics the plant’s natural growth habit in tropical environments. Orchids that grow on trees are known as epiphytes, using the host tree for physical support and elevation. This allows the orchid to reach better light and air circulation in its native jungle canopy. Palms are an especially suitable host due to their coarse, textured bark and typical location in warm, humid climates where orchids thrive. The process involves selecting the right orchid, preparing it carefully, and securing it to the palm so that its roots can eventually attach and thrive independently.
Essential Preparation and Material Selection
Selecting the correct orchid species is the first step toward a successful planting, with epiphytic varieties like Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, or Vanda being excellent choices for mounting. The ideal location on the palm tree is on the north or east side, which offers protection from the intense afternoon sun that can easily scorch the leaves of most orchids. Shade-loving orchids like Phalaenopsis should be placed lower on the trunk or beneath the canopy, while sun-tolerant types like Vanda can be positioned higher up where light is more abundant.
The bark’s texture is important, as rougher surfaces provide better anchor points for the orchid’s new roots to grasp. Materials include a pair of clean, sterilized scissors or shears for root trimming and a natural, biodegradable securing material. Biodegradable jute or hemp twine is preferred because it will eventually rot away, though plastic zip ties can be used temporarily. A small pad of sphagnum moss or coconut fiber should also be prepared to help retain moisture near the roots during the initial establishment period.
Step-by-Step Guide to Secure Mounting
Begin by carefully unpotting the orchid and removing all existing potting medium, such as bark chips or old moss. Trim away excessively long or dead, mushy roots with sterilized shears, leaving only firm, healthy roots intact. Next, take the small, pre-moistened pad of sphagnum moss or coconut fiber and place it directly against the roots, covering the central mass of the plant where the roots meet the stem, known as the crown.
Position the orchid against the selected spot on the palm tree bark, ensuring the roots are in direct contact with the trunk. Crucially, the orchid’s crown, or the point where the leaves emerge, should be angled slightly downward or away from the trunk’s surface. This positioning prevents water from collecting in the crown, which is a common cause of fungal infection and crown rot. Use the twine or zip ties to tightly secure the base of the orchid and the moss pad to the palm, wrapping the material around the roots and the trunk in a crisscross pattern. The temporary securing material must hold the orchid firmly in place without cutting the delicate roots or stem, supporting the plant until its own roots take hold.
Epiphytic Needs and Post-Installation Care
Their specialized aerial roots, covered in a spongy layer called velamen, are designed to quickly absorb moisture and nutrients from rainwater and surrounding debris. Because these roots are now fully exposed to the air, they will dry out much faster than roots in a pot, requiring a modified care schedule. For the first few weeks after mounting, the orchid needs frequent watering, often daily, to encourage new root growth and establishment on the palm.
This initial intensive watering period can gradually be tapered off as the roots begin to adhere to the bark, which can take several months. Fertilization should be done with a diluted orchid fertilizer sprayed directly onto the roots in a weekly or bi-weekly schedule. Once the new aerial roots have firmly attached themselves to the palm bark, typically after six to twelve months, the temporary twine or zip ties can be carefully cut away, allowing the orchid to continue its natural growth.