Most ephytics would fit that category, I would think. Cats are an example of one. There are many I can think of, so it would be pretty much your choice, first. For the most part, the trees they grow on are in the tropics or sub tropical climates where they have a narrower range of temperature than in much of North America, especially north of latitude 37.
I notice you are in Albany, NY so I assume you will be keeping the fig indoors most of the year. My concern if I were tackle such a project would be the temperature and humidity requirements more so than the tree. A fig is suit for more temperature extremes than many orchids I can think of.
What type did you have in mind?
My fig is outside all summer under my magnolia tree. I leave it out till it gets rather cool (almost to frost) and then bring it in. Unfortunately, it's best home is in a nitch between my front stairs and a wall to a downstairs bathroom. BUT if I would get it large enough for an orchid, I could put it in the dining room (that's where the orchids are now) OR, if it got large enough to be above the railing of the steps, there are 3 windows that all open onto the steps, it does get quite a bit of indirect light.
The fig at the nursery has phals in it. AND they have it planted in the ground. Not sure why it doesn't die in the winter. Know it's covered and heated but you'd think the ground would be too cold to support it. They just have a hole in the concrete and it's planted there. They've had to accomidate their roof to keep up with the tree growth. It's out of heavy nylon or some greenhouse fabric. It's amazing that they can keep uninsulated, huge area warm enough to support the fig, let alone the orchids growing in it.
I just thought it was a very cool idea.
posted by suzieb
over 2 years ago
One of our society member has a huge bouganveilla that has grown up in his greenhouse and has sent its vines all around the place. It actually works on indirect shade for the orchids. He does hang a few, but mostly the thing blooms all year round except the extremem winters in NJ. He has Cattleyas, and a fe Vandas that hang from it. I would think the vanda would be a good one to attach to a tree if it could support it. We also have a member that attaches almost all of her orchids to limbs and likes the hangy type things. Bulbas. Masdavelia, and just about anything could grow on a limb....
I just find this very intruging and think I might persue it if I can get my fig to grow up a bit.....AND learn a bit more about orchids. Guess they have to be sprayed regulary, not much to hold the moisture.
posted by suzieb
over 2 years ago
Orchids love misting, the humidity in the air makes them happy, places like NJ, Florida, Calif, all have natural humidity, orchids hate Arizona as there is nil, none, nada in water in the air. So if you can keep them happy, mist, water, and let them hang out in the trees to get the natural humidity from the air. Just don't forget to bring them in after the weather turns cold, I lost an orchid by forgetting it in a tree that I had it in all summer. Frozen, dried, dead.
If you can grow a tree in the house, give it lots of light, fert, water, care to make it grow and keep your orchids around it. They like similar species, I think..
Like having them in one place, they look lonely alone :-(
posted by suzieb
over 2 years ago