This is my Epi-Wall. I attached sheets of burlap to black porous weed fabric, then laid live sheet moss over top (with the burlap sandwiched between the fabric and moss.) I kept it wet and in part shade for about a month until the moss was holding onto the burlap/fabric, then I just hung it up with a staple gun on the white fence. Then, I attached all my mounted plants on top of the burlap, with the ones liking the most sun at the top and the shadier fellows at the bottom. I wanted the moss to be there to hold humidity (my attempt at a microclime), plus it looks cool. I also have a ton of Spanish Moss tillandsia draped all over the place with Hoyas and dischidia. My ideas and inspiration came mostly from Selby Garden's conservatory. There are also lots of driftwood displays in there too, with mexican beach pebble on the bottom. There are rabbit foot ferns I need to plant around the base of everything, too.

Sorry for the lousy quality of these photos...this is a narrow hallway and it's hard to get in position!!! Plus, I know nothing about photography...that doesn't help either.

The Tillandsias are in a driftwood "wall" I bought from a friend, there's a Nepenthes at the top of that driftwood garland in the corner, and bromeliads scattered all over the place as well as epiphytic ferns and even a Hydnophytum. I'm trying to get rid of all visible white fence...that's the goal.

Looks just gorgeous, Kate.

Oh, and Ken....I almost forgot to show off the Bulbophyllum rothschildianum I bought from you and how happy it is. It's much larger and I've removed most of the mounting twine as it's holding on pretty well all by itself.

And there's a chunk of Ball Moss that tried to commit suicide but instead landed happily in the orchid's arms.

Oh Kate! I do love your set up!! Your photos are truly fine, I can see what you are explaining. your plants sure look happy in this environment.

Now if you have to protect this set up from some cold snap, couldn't you simply mount some large piece of protective plastic along the top and drape it down over the whole wall?

Too cool, Kate. I love it!

Jim

Thanks guys We have a bunch of contractors here working and I've seen some of them pause at the wall and stare at it, as if to say, What in the world is this!?!?!? I like to sit out there and read, it's a nice spot. Once again, I followed lots of design concepts displayed by Selby Gardens in their conservatory. I could live in there!

Yes, Ursula, Ive done that before. I'm very clumsy with the plastic My six year old said, "Mom, you are struggling," the last time he saw the plastic blanket installation.

I agree that your wall is lovely!

I have seen kits for indoor vertical gardens that hang on the wall. I bet the same thing could be achieved indoors with a bit of customizing if you couldn't have one that lived outside all the time.

Just thought I'd dredge up this thread again to show my yearly 'event' - having my pool cage powerwashed. Almost all my orchids live inside the cage, so of course the screening and floor tiles get drenched regularly with orchid fertilizer. Any wonder that by the end of summer the whole place is growing "stuff" of one sort or another. Green algae on the pavers, plus some sort of black fungus in the really shady corner, and weeds springing up in the cracks where the sun plus water happens. My garden helper and I removed all the orchids and most furniture. Here's how it looked before cleaning:

This area is under where the Vandas hang, extra fertilizer and lots of water = more algae.

Black fungus growing in the cracks in the shade:

Today after power-washing - not quite dry but I'm waiting to spray the whole floor with Physan.

And no more black fungi in the shady corner:


We's doing the happy dance here today! Now, to carry the orchids back in, and clean up each one as we go . . .

Looks great, Elaine.

At least that cleaning was worth it! Looks great now!

Thanks, I am really pleased. It's good to go now until next summer when everything starts to grow at once . . then it's not worth doing it until fall because it will just grow back immediately. Plus, it's too hot to move everything out and back . . I really struggle with the heat, and don't get much of anything done in summer aside from necessities.

Will do better with spraying the pavers with Physan starting next spring, though. Maybe I can keep them cleaner through summer if I don't let the algae get away from me. My pool guy who does the power-washing for me (then cleans the pool after) says I can just spray it once in a while with pool algaecide, too. Motes' book also recommends using that. (but on the plants!)

It's dark out now, and I had to come in from transporting orchids back to the cage. Can't see well enough . . . to trim and inspect each one and then find the best spot for it. It's a great exercise but takes a lot of time - and I'm heading out of town this week for another 'grandma' visit so I've got to get it done! DH will be here but it's better for him if he doesn't have to worry about watering anything, except the 'Special Needs' plants.

dyzzypyxxy said:Will do better with spraying the pavers with Physan starting next spring, though. Maybe I can keep them cleaner through summer if I don't let the algae get away from me. My pool guy who does the power-washing for me (then cleans the pool after) says I can just spray it once in a while with pool algaecide, too. Motes' book also recommends using that. (but on the plants!)
.

I give mine a Pool Time spray every 10 days and I have to say it keeps the bacterial brown spot away. I am pleasantly surprised that it works so well and is so cheap. Just sprayed today and added a quick drench of Mancozeb too. Loving the weather!

It took me two hours to get to the Extension Service this morning as there was a big accident on south-bound I75. What a mess. I'm so glad I don't have to face rush hour traffic on a daily basis anymore. I'll be on the desk and manning the phones all day and then head to Plant City to give a presentation on cycads at the local library.

Jim

Busy, busy!

Jim, Are you the only MG in your county? I envy your energy. Sounds like they keep you busy but every office has one like you; the kind of person the agent can always count on.

Alice, I do 9 different talks and there are lots of libraries in the Tampa area and I don't seem to be able to turn anyone down. Also, I seem to be the one they call on to cover the MG desk and phones when the agents are out of the office. Maybe it's that I don't have a life? Perhaps it's my good looks?

Jim

I was still re-arranging orchids until after dark tonight, and wondering what happened to our 'cool' air that was supposed to be around for at least a few more days . . .

Trying to hang up as many plants as I can so that the floor can be more easily kept clean going forward. But (as usual) I have run out of hangers, and am now running short of space, too. Pictures of the new set-up tomorrow . . .