The Truth about the Orchid Tree
The Truth about the Orchid Tree
In fact there may not be such a thing as a real orchid tree. In literature there are some references to plants that look like orchids, yet appear to be growing like trees. In fact, there is even discussion of a purple orchid tree in a national forest service document from 1993. There are even some references to orchids that are parasitic and grow on trees.
The Ghost Orchid is an absolutely beautiful example of such a tree living orchid. Tree living orchids may in fact use the tree as its supply of water and other nutrients. Their leaves and other parts are specially evolved and, in fact, the Ghost Orchid has no actual plant stem at all. A discussion on tree orchids must, therefore, focus on information on orchid habitats in general and how regular trees play a major role in the surrounding ecosystems.
Orchid Habitats
There are a wide variety of trees that may provide the correct conditions for certain types of orchids. In fact, there are certain growers who experiment with growing orchards in palm trees, oak trees and others. In the United Kingdom there are several species of orchids that live naturally near or at the foot of beach trees. Such orchids are not actually tree living orchids, but more tree loving orchids. There are many, many varieties of orchid loving trees. For instance, oak trees offer shade and rough bark for root attachment and are an ideal orchid tree. There are certain palm trees that provide just enough cover and canopy for some orchids that prefer more sun. However, the palm tree still provides some measure of protection of the plants from the extremes of the sun and allows it to grow steadily and healthily. These tree orchids are unusual as most orchids need even more shade than that typically.
In Florida there are even mahogany trees that have been used for experimental growth of orchids in trees. The mahogany tree actually has a rough enough bark for the orchid's roots to attach but their canopy is so dense that very little light may get through to allow for proper orchid growth. However, there are records that indicate that a certain planifolia, when planted at the base of a tree, can eventually reach into the canopy and bloom. These plants might like mahoganies due to their low light requirements.
The same experiments in Florida also indicate that mango and avocado trees may also be good orchid growing trees. Their rough bark apparently has supported varietals such as cattleyas, phalaenopsis, and the flat-leaf oncidiums.