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The first thing you need to do is find a suitable branch for your tree. You can go to a nursery and pay for a mounted "driftwood" type branch, but I think it is more fun to go for a walk and see what you can find right around your back yard or in the neighborhood. A branch from a live tree will usually make a good orchid tree. I chose a branch off of my Sycamore tree. Try to find a branch with a rough surface. A branch with smooth surfaces will work, but are not as good because they do not provide the orchid roots something to cling to. The size and shape of the branch is entirely up to you. It can be as small as one foot or as large as 5 feet! Of course, if you are in your neighbors yard, ask first before taking any of their tree branches ;-)
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This is a list of items you will need to assemble your tree. You can obtain these items from your local hardware and gardening center:
- Sphagnum moss - to cover the roots and help give the orchid moisture
Bucket or container of water - to soak the sphagnum moss
- Fishing line - to tie the plants to the branch
- Labels and pencil - to make sure the name of your orchid is not lost
- Scissors - for trimming roots and leaves where needed
- Green plastic coated wire or ties - to help hold the moss in place while you tie the orchid to the branch.
- Propane torch - for sterilizing the scissors.
- Spray bottle filled with water - for wetting the sphagnum moss and plants after they have been mounted.
- Sulfur - to dust the cut portions of the orchids.
- Wood base - to secure the branch to so it will stand up.
- Drill & bits - to make a hole in the wood base large enough to
accommodate your branch.
- Saw - you can also just make a cross stand like a Christmas tree stand.
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