Attaching Bromelaids to tree trunks

[Laisla87]

Hi

I was wondering if anyone could offer advice as to how to best attach bromelaids to tree trunks.. I was thinking of using chicken wire stuffed with coconut fire but this may not be ideal (may dry out?).

[Patricia-CR]

I use 'cabuya' string (used here for putting together tamales), or a cotton string. In that way, while the roots and plants become attached to the tree, the string wears off, so it won't harm the tree. The same goes for orchids.

[virtualpalm]

I don't have any hardwood trees in my yard, but I do have several palms with intact leafbases that make perfect receptacles for bromeliads. I must have two dozen different kinds in my African oil palm, which makes for a colorful (and unique) addition to the yard.

Jody

[ariscott]

In Bali they use coconut husk and then tie it to the trees. Seems to work really well...

[Tropicgardener]

I use old (or new) pantyhose for attaching broms and orchids to my palms........My wife doesn't use them so I sometimes get some funny looks from shop assistants when I purchase a few packs but I don't really care if they think I am a cross-dresser

[virtualpalm]

Andrew, I have used pantyhose to attach staghorn ferns. Works quite well.

Jody

[Laisla87]

I use old (or new) pantyhose for attaching broms and orchids to my palms........My wife doesn't use them so I sometimes get some funny looks from shop assistants when I purchase a few packs but I don't really care if they think I am a cross-dresser

That is a good idea...Do you put any leaf matter or the like within the panty hose for the plants?

My bromelaids are a very open kind, the common green-with-red-throat ones. I am worried that these are not the "denser" types which look good on tree trunks...

[aussiearoids]

Sometimes its best to just let the Brom attach itself to the tree . If you hang one that has a pup coming ... place it , secure it , and let nature takes it course .

[gsytch]

Or use Liquid Nails or the alike, then tie around the tree. Once the glue sets, the brom will begin to root. I use Spanish Moss and wrap it around the root area to enhance moisture and rooting. My best work is when I stick them at the base and train them up. I have one Billbergia that is 10' up a palm tree now, and what a sight when it is in bloom. It seems to bloom more often growing up the tree than the seasonal nature in the ground!

[Tropicgardener]

I use old (or new) pantyhose for attaching broms and orchids to my palms........My wife doesn't use them so I sometimes get some funny looks from shop assistants when I purchase a few packs but I don't really care if they think I am a cross-dresser

That is a good idea...Do you put any leaf matter or the like within the panty hose for the plants?

My bromelaids are a very open kind, the common green-with-red-throat ones. I am worried that these are not the "denser" types which look good on tree trunks...

I generally don't put anything in the panty hose and find that it actually holds a little bit of moisture. I have a driftwood log with 'Fireball' on it that I simply attached them with galvanised U nails.

[Tropicgardener]

The liquid nails is a good idea, I have used it for attaching Tillandsias to logs but haven't thought of using it to attach larger broms to trees.

[peachy]

I dont wear pantyhose either Andrew, but I do buy them for attaching broms and orchids to trees etc. If its a big one I put a bit of string around too for extra support. However if the brom has roots I put a little bit of spagnum around them too.

Peachy

[SubTropicRay]

Squirrels have developed a taste for panty hose in my garden. Actually, they'll nibble through anything that blocks their daily activity. They've eaten through my bromeliads and defoliated my Resurrection Fern.

[palmmermaid]

I've used everything mentioned here and then some. I like the double faced velcro tape. It just wraps around and sticks to itself. And it lasts long enough for the bromeliad or orchid to root itself to the tree or fence post. A friend of mine who does tree scapes uses a chicken wire cage he wires to the tree with non-galvinized wire. He cuts holes as needed to get the plants in place, fills in with spanish moss and sphagnum, and it looks like it has been on the tree forever. I also like non-galvinized wire for big bromeliads. It lasts long enough for the plant to attach and rusts out before it can hurt the tree.

I buy pantyhose at the flea market since I don't wear them either. God, are they hot and uncomfortable! Some man must have invented them along with bras, girdles, high heels, and corsets!

[JungleGina]

I use wire that I staple onto the tree in kind of an X formation with loose ends that I can wrap around the base of the bromeliad and twist the ends. Then I wrap spanish moss around that to hide the wire. This holds quite heavy plants. I use it for attaching orchids and birds nest ferns too. This oak fell over in a storm and my BF stuffed the uprooted rootball with compost and dirt and it kept on growing. Now we've propped it to keep it at that horizontal alignment and it's a great big empty canvas for mounting plants on!

Before (fallen oak tree):

After:

Another tree:

[Laisla87]

I use wire that I staple onto the tree in kind of an X formation with loose ends that I can wrap around the base of the bromeliad and twist the ends. Then I wrap spanish moss around that to hide the wire. This holds quite heavy plants. I use it for attaching orchids and birds nest ferns too. This oak fell over in a storm and my BF stuffed the uprooted rootball with compost and dirt and it kept on growing. Now we've propped it to keep it at that horizontal alignment and it's a great big empty canvas for mounting plants on!

Before (fallen oak tree):

After:

Another tree:

Wow, such informative posts. I particularly like this idea of hiding wiring with Spanish moss as I have tons of the stuff and don't know what to do with it.

[Patrick]

Great thread. Do you guys and gals think the same principles would work out here in California where it's so much drier?

I'm just starting with the broms (Neoregelia) so I'm not sure what they are capable of. They have done well in the cold here for me so far - no melting under canopy, but this is only my first year with them.

At any rate, I'm going to have to try this out this spring. Hope it works!