Ambition and a Back Ache - Orchid Board

**Junebug** · #1 (**permalink**) 05-25-2008, 10:34 PM

Growing orchids outdoors can sometimes present challenges. As my orchid collection increases I find sufficient space and adequate lighting to be my biggest issues and due to city codes and a yard dotted with tall palm trees an orchid house would not be practical.

A few weeks ago I decided to plant some live orchid mounts. The mounts chosen were an Avocado and Mango Tree. In addition to these I also had a beautiful Australian Fern Tree that had outgrown it's present location and was in desperate need of a transplant.

So, off I went to the nursery to make a few purchases. In addition to the Mango and Avocado I wound up purchasing 3 banana trees, 1 plantain tree, a lemon tree, a dwarf pomegranate, a bird of paradise, 2 passion vines, two citronella plants, 2 large tomato plants, a Carolina Jasmine, potting soil, cow manure, composted peat and several bags of mulch.

The entire next day was spent digging, weeding, prepping the soil, and planting and the next 5 days were spent in pain. Do you think I over did it just a tad? Here are a few photos of the results.

A very large invasive snow bush had to be dug up in order to plant the bird of paradise. The Australian Tree Fern lost several fronds, but seems to be recovering now. I had originally planted it too near the house and it had to be moved. The mango and avocado trees should be ready for their orchid mounts in 2 or 3 years. Patience is a virtue, right?

cupcake · #2 (**permalink**) 05-26-2008, 11:53 AM

WOW! That tree fern is AMAZING! As a physio I know that if I spend a whole day digging and bending and lifting in the garden in spring I will suffer for it with my back. Does that stop me? You bet it doesn't! But the results are worth it by your pictures, and painkillers will help!

Weebl · #3 (**permalink**) 05-26-2008, 02:07 PM

I like your planning ideas. In the yard of the house I grew up, we had a half acre of avacado trees and they seem to be perfect candidates for shade lovers. The one thing about avocado is they lose branches like eucalyptus trees if they dry out a bit too much so mounting on or closer to the trunk would seem to work best.
I love your treefern as well! I have 1 australian in my yard and one tasmanian

Jkelee · #4 (**permalink**) 05-26-2008, 02:51 PM

I LOVE THAT Australian Tree Fern!!! I GOTTA FIND ONE FROM SOMEWHERE!! I've never seen them for sale anywhere? Can you tell me where to buy one??

jkofferdahl · #5 (**permalink**) 05-26-2008, 06:22 PM

I had a tree fern like yours which I grew in a very large pot in my home in Richmond, VA. It was spectacular for many years. Then I got a dog, and she decided it looked tasty. The tree fern suffered. The dog suffered. Oh, did the dog suffer! She lived another 12 years but never, ever again did she try to eat a plant!

**Junebug** · #6 (**permalink**) 05-26-2008, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkofferdahl

I had a tree fern like yours which I grew in a very large pot in my home in Richmond, VA. It was spectacular for many years. Then I got a dog, and she decided it looked tasty. The tree fern suffered. The dog suffered. Oh, did the dog suffer! She lived another 12 years but never, ever again did she try to eat a plant!

I've got to be careful when it comes to gardening in front of my youngest Corgi. He'll dig a hole everytime he sees me pulling weeds or planting something in the yard. If he sees me pulling off dead leaves or clipping stems then I can count on him proudly bringing a piece of plant in the house for me to admire. I knows he's trying to be a helper so when I'm working on plant projects that are on his eye level I keep him inside. So far this has worked. After I've finished and let him outside he walks around and inspects any changes but doesn't touch. He's a good boy. Here are a few photos of Bandit inspecting some freshly planted Banana trees.

**Junebug** · #7 (**permalink**) 05-26-2008, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jkelee

I LOVE THAT Australian Tree Fern!!! I GOTTA FIND ONE FROM SOMEWHERE!! I've never seen them for sale anywhere? Can you tell me where to buy one??

Thank you. I purchased this one at Lowe's about 2 years ago. The plant itself was about 18" tall. They grow really fast and the fronds spread out about 10 to 12 feet in diameter. I was concerned for a time because it kept dropping the lower fronds. After seeing full sized specimens in Maui I was relieved. They're growth is similar to that of a Palm with no green vegetation growing on the lower trunk. Mature specimens can get about 40' tall. I'm hoping to plant a vanilla cutting near the base sometime this summer. Hopefully they'll be compatable.

snow · #8 (**permalink**) 05-27-2008, 02:01 AM

what is that greatlooking vine growing on the fence?
it looks so nice.

**Junebug** · #9 (**permalink**) 05-27-2008, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snow

what is that greatlooking vine growing on the fence?
it looks so nice.

This is the "not too friendly" neighbor's vine and produces beautiful light lavender flowers with pale yellow throats and looks hummingbird friendly. I tried to root a cutting for my daughter late last summer with no success. Here are some close-ups. I've never seen this variety at local garden centers. Do any OB members know what this is?