Epiphytes are plants that grow on other plants, most often on the branches and branches of trees.However, they are not parasites - they feed on their own, and they get mineral compounds from decaying organic matter, e.g. from decaying bark.Epiphytes have to face huge problems with water supply, which they can only draw from from the air or "catching" rainwater.
To help store water, some epiphytes have developed leaves forming a funnel (bromeliad) or a special tissue on the root called velamen that soaks up water like a sponge (epiphytic orchids).In addition, epiphytes conduct a very sparing water management, e.g. the same type of photosynthesis as in cacti.Most epiphytes are found in tropical rainforests.
Among the epiphytes we can find many species of ferns, such as the flat salmon Platycerium bifurcatum (the so-called elk horns) and plants from the begoniaceae or picture family.Specific conditions prevailing in the natural environment require different care.The greatest attention should be paid to the properties of the substrate.
It should be very permeable, composed of quite large elements, e.g. expanded clay and specially shredded pine bark, mixed with coconut fiber, highly fibrous peat or dry fern roots. Watering should be very sparing.
