Tropical Vertical Garden

Some of you may recall that I've been experimenting with vertical gardening solutions using epiphytes, and I've finally finished my first installation!  I've seen some amazing succulent wall art via Flora Grubb, but most succulents require more sun than my balcony can provide, so I've replaced the echeverias and sedums with cattleyas and rhipsalis!

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These epiphytic plants are not only shade tolerant, the soil they require is much lighter since its composed of nothing more than an orchid mix that can be found at your local garden center.  Besides, you know I'm all about making a virtual rainforest.

The planter was a simple plastic frame, purchased from Lowes for about $12.  The pockets are angled to better hold soil, but I ended up drilling holes at the bottoms of the pockets for better drainage.

You can mount the planters flush against the wall with the included hardware, but since I'll be bringing this in during freezes, I made another modification and bought some shelf brackets for it to rest on.  I also used a hook and some wire to firmly hold the installation in place.  When we get a freeze warning, I'll simply untie the wire and bring the micro-jungle indoors.

I planted the fixture with a tapestry of orchids and epiphytic cacti, and I even added a pink cryptanthus for interest!  The orchids were mostly cattleya hybrids, but a blooming dendrobium "mini stripe" was added at the top so the stems will reach upwards from the frame.  Moss was also covering the substrate with the dendrobium, so hopefully that will spread throughout the planting too!

The mass of epiphytic cacti consists of a limited palette of only 4 species, chosen for their fine texture.  I especially like rhipsalis baccifera, which hangs down in pendant drapes and looking for all the world like a waterfall.

When I water the plants from above, the shower tumbles over the surface and drips down the pendant rhipsalis, falling on the palms and bromeliads below and looking just like a rain shower.  No water is wasted, since it gets snatched up by the bromeliads's cup like rosettes before it reaches the ground, making a pitter patter that sounds like the real thing.  You could even install a watering system that irrigates the miniature jungle with a lifelike mist... wouldn't that be awesome in the summer?! 

This was an affordable and easy project, and I really think more people should try this for themselves.  Stay tuned and I'll show you guys how I managed to make this wall mounted patch of paradise!

For more fun and creative projects
Beach Combing For Gardeners
Make Your Balcony Look Bigger
Cordyline and Sedum Container
How I Made a Rain Garden
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