Growing orchids on a hat.

Ok, might sound a little crazy but.

I have a vented mesh drover hat ive been growing Tillandsia on for almost 2 years. I somewhat more recently branched out to orchids. I have the following mounted on either scrubbie pads or hygrolon.

Debdrobium rigidum: has grown a few new leaves and roots...been on for about a year

dock nugentii: overwatered at first on hygrolon, a little piece w button sized leaves survived to be remounted and has grown a new leaf/roots.

Dendrobium prenticei

Sophr. Cernua: new roots/leaves. Not sure if I will keep this one on due to how rigidly the leaves are connected to the bulbs...any bump could break roots.

Hat gets whatever conditions are thrown its way. Sometimes full sun and warm days, and lots of wind. I do water it frequently, and some are somewhat shaded/protected by Tillandsia . Anyone have any thoughts as to other sp. That might do ok? I want to try Isabelua virginalis and den. Cucumerina. Have to stay small, be tolerant of bright conditions and lots of wind/potential to dry out quickly between waterings . Also must stay tiny .

 

Ionopsis seems much too big. If a tolumnia/onc could be had that kept flowers right next to the plant that'd be ideal. Long spikes would almost certainly be damaged.

 

I wear it almost daily. It goes on hikes, out and about, etc....I live right by sf so it bikes across the Golden Gate regularly. Not just decor

 

I try to avoid exposure to extreme conditions but it fairly regularly sees winds 15mph sometimes more. Otherwise it lives on the patio getting morning sun. Hispaniella is way cool! It seems rare and photos still suggest a long spike.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BCUYEWepEx9/?taken-by=musingsofjoe

 

Top photos most recent. Dockrillia has 2 more leaves than that picture.


I have a pretty decent handle at this point what Tillandsia will do well...some plants from older pictures have been replaced or moved to different sections of the hat depending on how they are doing(their is a decent microhabitat difference between the front of the hat-where only the toughest things can survive-and the back/sides of the hat where it is more protected).




You can see the Dendrobium prenticei and what I received as Den. nugentii. It is teeny tiny-esp. since half of it died and I thought it was a gone for sure. I guess since it currently takes little space I will leave it.

 

Ha it definitely is a conversation starter. Id say only a few folks understand what is going on. It definitely expands some minds to realize some plants can grow like this.

I acquired a Den. Cucumerina and added that on.

I wonder if this would work at all elsewhere? The hat has lived in WA, coastal southern California(did quite a few all day hikes in 90 degree heat and drying wind), the San Joaquin valley, and now it hops back and forth over the golden gate. I had issues at first with sunburn and plants drying up/plants getting bumped and damaged(species selection fixed that), but truth to be told I dont enjoy baking in the sun any more than plants likely do. So they are likely getting part sun most days...here in sf things are rarely warmer than 80 so overheating/sunburn is no longer much of an issue. Im sure the plants are at least occasionally photoinhibited. If I did this again in a warm climate Id potentially try a lighter colored hat....in hot weather the fabric can get hot.

 

People seem mixed on how much light to give Schoenorchis but it seems ckear airflow and drying is crucial. They seem pretty pricey but I bet theyd work!