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Growing an orchid on a tree in the UK

petesmith269l_n8cPsPpetesmith269l_n8cPsP Posts: 3
in Plants
We live in Bournemouth and have a beautiful ash tree in the garden, shaded by a number of other trees and bushes. I’m interested in growing some orchids on this tree. Are there any orchids that are hardy enough for the south of England and will grow on trees? Also is an ash tree suitable for orchid growing? 

Posts

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @petesmith269l_n8cPsP I don't think they will grow on trees in Uk only in the soil. Mistletoe is becoming more common, I often see it growing locally.Welcome!
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    I'm not aware of any native orchid which grows on trees in the UK.  They are usually in rain forest areas and need the warmth, moisture and protection provided by the canopy of evergreen trees. 
    An Ash is deciduous so any protection is lost once Autumn takes it toll altho Ivy does well. 
    Nice idea but I don;t think you will have much luck :)  
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    It's an interesting question. This site says that all orchids hardy in the Uk are terrestrial (not epiphyte).

     I don't think the epiphyte nature is necessarily the problem - more the hardiness over winter.


  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Are you in a very damp area?
  • petesmith269l_n8cPsPpetesmith269l_n8cPsP Posts: 3
    Fire said:
    Are you in a very damp area? 
    Not very damp no. Certainly not this summer. 
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited July 2022
    Epiphytes get all their food and water etc from the air/rain so tend to live in very humid, rainy, damp environments. There are hardy orchids that do well in gardens, the terrestrial soil.

    There are large climbing roses that will happily grow up into a trees.
  • petesmith269l_n8cPsPpetesmith269l_n8cPsP Posts: 3
    Thanks everyone. 

    Your comments and some further reading on my part have made me convinced that this can’t be done. I will leave it. 
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    It's a nice idea.
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