Orchids are beautiful flowering plants that are easy to care for indoors. Most orchids that you buy come potted in bark and sphagnum moss, but did you know mounting is another way to grow this sub-tropical plant? Many varieties are epiphytes, meaning they grow on the surface of other plants and have aerial roots that don't rely on soil to absorb moisture and nutrients. Here are a couple of ideas for growing these plants while mimicking their natural habitats. 

Attaching Your Orchid to Driftwood

How to Transplant

Overall, this process is simple and quick, but working with a plant's roots always demands care. Take your time and be gentle with the orchid. To transplant the epiphyte onto a piece of driftwood:

• Find your wood: Driftwood is found in pet shops, plant nurseries, and near water. Before transplanting, soak the wood in water for 24 hours to saturate it and encourage the plant to root. When using driftwood found outside, boil it for a few hours to get rid of any potentially harmful bacteria.
• Remove the plant from the pot: Soak the orchid for a few minutes prior to taking it out of the pot. Remove the plant and carefully work the potting medium away from the roots until they are totally clean. You may need to rinse them with running water.
• Play with the arrangement: Be creative about how you arrange the plant on the wood. Unexpected and unusual arrangements can be surprisingly attractive. Ensure that all the leaves are touching or wrapped around the driftwood.

• Cover the roots in sphagnum moss: Next, cover the roots in a layer of sphagnum moss. When you water the plant, the moss will trap moisture and distribute it over the roots evenly.
• Anchor the roots: Using wire or fishing line, anchor the roots to the wood. Wrap the line around the roots a few times until everything is snug. You don't want the roots to wiggle, and you don't want the line touching any roots.

Benefits 

Growing attached to wood makes an epiphytic orchid easier to care for and extends its lifetime. The roots will receive more moisture and airflow, which will help the plant thrive without risking root rot. It also makes for a beautiful arrangement that can accent any decorating style. Mist the plant once every morning and once in the afternoon to keep it vibrant.

Growing an Orchid Outside on a Living Tree

Throughout Hawaii, the temperatures stay high enough that many orchids can grow perfectly outside all year round. If you have outdoor spaces that need more color and life, you can use the same method to attach an orchid to a living tree. You can even add multiple orchids of different species to the same tree. Outdoor orchids still require some care, but they are low-maintenance and long-lived.

To add the beauty of orchids to your home, reach out to Akatsuka Orchid Gardens in Volcano, HI. This nursery has a wide selection of tropical and exotic flowers and plants for all your needs, and they can ship to the islands or to the mainland US. Learn more about their orchids online, and call (808) 967-8234 to inquire about inventory.