How to Grow Epiphytes (aka Air Plants)

Orchids and staghorn ferns are two kinds of epiphytes.

One trend in houseplants that comes around every so often is a resurgence of interest in epiphytes. Epiphytes are plants that grow on other plants, but they aren't parasites. In their natural habitats they take moisture and nutrition from the air and the rain without robbing the plants they dwell on of any nutrients. For that reason epiphytes are often called "air plants." You'll often see epiphytes attached to driftwood or shells, or even hung directly on a wall. They can live perfectly happily outdoors under the right conditions, but their soilless state and ability to grow on just about anything make them a natural choice for a houseplant. Common epiphytes include some types of orchids, bromeliads, anthuriums, philodendrons, staghorn ferns, and Spanish moss.

Epiphytic orchid growing
on a piece of tree branch

But don't let the term "air plant" mislead you. Epiphytes can't survive in your home on just air. Once or twice a week you should submerge your epiphytes in room temperature water for up to three or four hours. You can use municipal tap water on them, but they'll appreciate rain water, bottled water, or well water even more and will likely bloom more quickly with it. For extra nutrition, you can mix a half-strength dose of orchid food into the bathwater once a month.

The proper lighting is important too. Situate them in bright, indirect light, just like they'd find if they were perched high into a dense canopy of a tree. Direct sunlight could dry them out too much.

Dry air can also be a problem, so during the summer months if your home is either very hot or very air-conditioned, you should give your epiphytes a spritz of water every couple days in between soakings.

 

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Gardening Events on the Horizon

You know the new year has really started in earnest for gardeners when the calendar starts to fill up with not-to-be-missed gardening events. Well, that time has arrived. Here are just a few of the happenings in the Bay Area that I'm looking forward to in the coming months:

• The Pacific Orchid Exposition (Feb. 21-24) at Fort Mason in San Francisco. This is always a mind-blowing experience just for the sheer number and variety of orchids gathered in one place. But this year should be even more amazing due to the addition of a series of seminars running throughout the show. This will allow you to not just ogle the beautiful orchids, but really learn a good deal more about them. (Note: You can save a few dollars on admission by buying your tickets in advance online.)
• Daffodil Daydreams/Opening Celebration at Filoli (Feb. 22-24) in Woodside. Come to admire the profusion of daffodils and other spring blooms in the amazing setting that is Filoli. Stroll, attend lectures, sup in the cafe. It's a feast for the senses.
• Growing Organic Tomatoes talk at Evergreen Nursery (Mar. 9, 1 p.m.) in San Leandro.  I'll give an hour-long presentation on growing great-tasting, chemical-free tomatoes and will also be signing copies of my book, California Fruit and Vegetable Gardening afterward. The event is free and Evergreen Nursery is a terrific nursery you may not know about yet. Come join us!
• The San Francisco Flower & Garden Show (Mar. 20-24) at the San Mateo Event Center. This is the grand-daddy of all Bay Area garden events and a great opportunity for learning, shopping, and planning your next gardening projects. (Note: Save money on Early Bird tickets purchased before Mar. 11.)

I'll post more events as I find out about them, and starting in April and May there will be many garden tours going on, so keep your calendar open!