Re: Astelias and others as epiphytes
david feix wrote:
>
> Hello all,
>
> The thread on Astelias has been rather interesting,
> and I had no idea that there were so many species out
> there which are not being grown here in California.
> Also, I was interested to hear that so many grow
> epiphytically in New Zealand. I grow alot of
> epiphytes in my garden, and love recreating that
> cloudforest/tropical look using Bromeliads,
> (Acanthostachys, Aechmeas, Billbergias, Neoregelias,
> and Tillandsias), Orchids, and Rhipsalis placed both
> on tree trunks and in hanging baskets. It would be
> fun to add some of the Astelias to this mix, if and
> when they become available.
>
> I am more familiar with new world,(neotropic)
> epiphytes than old world, but have also seen Cymbidium
> orchids and Asplenium nitida/Bird's Nest Fern as
> epiphytes in the rainforests of Malaysia. I am sure
> there are many more commonly grown plants, (often as
> houseplants here), that in native habitat are
> epiphytes, and we tend to forget this, as they aren't
> grown that way here.
Hi David
What about Vireya Rhododendrons and jungle cacti of the Schlumbergia
group? Quite a few of the species Vireyas are I gather basically
epiphytes and any of the floppy varieties popular for hanging baskets
would also probably work. I know if container grown they all prefer a
quite limited root run. Almost all those cacti are also natural
perchers.
To grow on a stout tree stem or even a strong fence post you could also
try a fern of the Stagshorn/Elkhorn group.
Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata (near Wellington, capital city of New Zealand)
