Epiphytic Orchids
Epiphytic orchids are orchids that grow non-parasitically on trees, and derive their moisture and nutrients from the air and dampness (rain and cloud moisture) on the surface of the hosts. Epiphytic orchids are the main group of tropical orchids. They attach to their hosts high in the canopy to gain more light for photosynthesis. Roots are developed primarily for support. The roots also have a modified aerial root called velamen. The velamen is a thick layer of dead cells which cover the roots of epiphytic orchids. It is silvery gray or white in color when dry and usually more green when wet. It is capable of absorbing atmospheric moisture and nutrients.
Epiphytic orchids have roots that are often grown to hold tight to the surface of pots or potting material, exposed to the elements. They grow well in potting with a very open and free-draining material that is not soil. Pieces of brick, charcoal, fern root, wooden baskets, logs, tree stumps, or coconut fiber are good material to plant epiphytic orchids, as these material retain moisture but allow aeration, and they are long lasting. Epiphytic orchids are never half-buried under potting mixture, rather they sit right on top of it.
Ascocentrum - a type of epiphytic orchid
Author: Shiny Things (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic)
Epiphytic Orchids
The following are the epiphytic orchids we have described in this website:
- Abdominea
There is only one species, known as Abdominea minimiflora, also known as Tiny-flowered Abdominea.
- Acampe
A genus of epiphytic monopodial orchid found in Africa and Asia.
- Barbrodria
A mini-miniature, creeping, mat forming epiphyte found growing the the rainforest in SE Brazil.
- Dendrobium
One of the most popular and easy to grow epiphytic orchids.
- Earina
A genus of mostly epiphytic orchids found in New Zealand, New Caledonia, Tahiti, Samoa and Fiji.
- Epidendrum
Large genus of epiphytic orchids comprising 1100 species, distributed in North and South America.
- Flickingeria
A genus of flowering orchids comprising about 75 species found in tropical Asia and Australasia.
- Isabelia
Epiphytic orchids comprising three species and one natural hybrid native to northeast of Brazil to Argentina.
- Laelia
Epiphytic orchid comprising about 11 species native to subtropical and temperate regions of Central America.
- Neofinetia
A genus of 3 species of orchids native to the Far East countries of China, Korea and Japan.
- Quekettia
A small genus of orchids from northern South America.
- Paphinia
A genus of epiphytic orchids from South America.
- Phalaenopsis
One of the most popular orchids, comprising about 60 species native throughout southeast Asia.
- Restrepia
A genus of epiphytic orchids distributed from southern Mexico to northern Argentina.
- Sarcochilus
Sarcochilus.
A genus of orchids found in Australia including Tasmania, and in New Caledonia.
- Warmingia
A small genus of orchids found in the rainforest of eastern Brazil.
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