After locating a suitable tree, an orchid is affixed to its bark using a glue that won’t hurt either plant. “The roots will begin to attach over a period of months or years,” says Downing. Most species can also be planted in the ground after they fully mature and can start photosynthesis. These are often planted in school or butterfly gardens.
So far, the Million Orchid Project, which started in 2013, has planted about 165,000 flowers in and around Miami. But for Downing, this is only the beginning. The project’s goal isn’t just to plant a million orchids, but also to create a new population of wild plants that will grow on its own over time. “The hope is that these plants will mature, produce flowers, spread seeds, and start to pop up on their own,” says Downing.