In the plant world there are many interesting things. Some of its representatives catch and eat insects. Others climbed on their own in order to survive. So does the epiphyte - a plant that had to fight for life in difficult conditions. Thanks to this method of survival, epiphytes were able to get more air, light and protect themselves from animals. But at the same time, they do not harm their "home" if there are not too many of them on it.
Where do epiphytic plants grow?
For a comfortable existence, they choose trunks or even leaves of trees. Epiphytic plants are abundant in tropical forests. The latter are dense thickets that do not allow sunlight to penetrate to the soil. Therefore, for a number of reasons, plants that were unable to grow a strong tree trunk, which could serve as a support and raise taller foliage, tried to survive in another way. They had to reach out to the sunlight, using the help of their fellows. Epiphytic plants rose up the trunks and branches of trees. They did this not only in tropical forests, but everywhere where living conditions were lacking, for example, in shady spruce forests or crevices of mountains. If in the tropics the epiphyte is a herbaceous plant, then in the rocks and coniferous forests it is mosses, ferns or lichens.
Multi-storey building
In the tropics, these representatives of the flora can choose the tier on which they settle. Some of them are shady and do not rise high. They do not need a lot of sunlight. Others need it, so they climb higher. Epiphytic plants grow on the highest "floors" only if they can withstand adverse conditions: low humidity, windiness, fluctuations in air temperature, and nutrient deficiency.
If it doesn’t work out differently
How do they survive, not being able to get everything they need for growth and life from the soil? The fact is that the epiphyte is a plant that actively uses everything that the environment gives it: it collects rainwater, dew, organic matter from the surface of the supporting plant and the waste products of birds and animals. Epiphytes do this in different ways, depending on which they have a different structure. Some of them collect moisture and can accumulate it up to 5 liters, due to the fact that they have the shape of a socket. Others have leaves in the form of a pocket or funnel, in which moisture also accumulates. Still others try to retain water by forming a “nest” around themselves from the fallen leaves of other plants and various wastes of the living world.
Propagation of epiphytes
We know several ways of reproduction of flora representatives. But not all of them are suitable for epiphytic plants. They chose the most popular and easy way - propagation by seeds, which fly with the help of wind from tree to tree. In some species they are small and light, in others they have special devices that facilitate travel through the air. Sometimes epiphytic seeds are carried by animals or plants. It happens that these plants themselves happen to be in a new place for them. This happens when animals or birds carry them on themselves. Tillandsia has an interesting way of moving. This plant is fixed on a tree, dropping down its long light sprouts, which easily come off under the influence of wind and end up on another tree.
Gotta hold on
To quickly gain a foothold and begin to grow on a new support, epiphytes have the ability to quickly grow roots. Even the smallest cling to the trunk or branch, sometimes encircling them, as if tying a plant so that it could not budge. Interestingly, the roots of epiphytes play the role of holders, and many of them have lost the ability to absorb nutrients, but they provide respiration to the plant. An additional function of the roots of epiphytes is protective. Sharp spikes often grow on them, preventing them from being picked or eaten. However, there are certain types of insects for which this is not a hindrance, and they destroy leaves and roots (for example, tropical ants).
Epiphytes: plant examples
Meet phalaenopsis orchids. A translation of her name, “like a butterfly, ” speaks of her appearance. This beautiful flower grows in Australia, New Guinea, South and Southeast Asia, as well as on the islands of the Malay archipelago. Its homeland is forests with high humidity and air temperature. For life, he chooses the topmost branches of trees, for which he clings to the roots. Its large fleshy leaves contribute to the accumulation of water. And at night it is stored in carbon dioxide.
Platicerium is also called "deer horn." This fern grows on trees in the tropics. In nature, it reaches gigantic proportions. There are several varieties of this plant, but they are all similar in leaves that resemble the flat antlers of a deer or elk. But at the same time other leaves grow on the platicerium. They have a concave shape and are used to collect organic substances. Horn-shaped leaves are covered with a silver fluff, which also traps nutrients from the air and helps the life of the fern.
Interestingly, epiphyte is a plant that can be grown at home. People loved them for their decorativeness and unpretentiousness. For example, the platicerium is placed in the shade, they observe the temperature regime, periodically sprayed, and it pleases its owners with an unusual look.
What epiphytic plants grow in our home?
Another tropical resident who settled in our apartments is Verezia. It has bright leaves of a beautiful color. Its content requires diffused light. It is interesting that they watered the verezia, pouring water into the outlet, which experienced plant growers recommend occasionally dabbing with a napkin to fill it with fresh moisture. It is interesting that although Verezia is an epiphyte, it is planted in the ground under indoor conditions.
Soil and leaves are recommended to be sprayed to maintain moisture. As well as other similar plants, they feed the birch tree by spraying the leaves, as its roots are weak and are not able to fully absorb nutrients.
To see the flower of Verezia, it must be kept in a warm place. And if this does not help, then one unusual way will help to speed up flowering. It is necessary to put a ripe fruit near the pot, preferably a banana. It will emit flowering ethylene gas.
