Making wood slat baskets ... HELP!

[eSRods]

I like orchids growing in wood slat baskets.
So I am heading to my local hardware to buy timber to make a few.
My question is what type/treatment of timber?
Can I use treated timber?
Can I apply stain/oil to the timber?.
Cheers

[snowballsarebad]

I am definitely not an expert on this, but...
We made a couple baskets, using untreated pine. I don't think I'd use the treated wood. I can also imagine that stain could kill roots. Keep it natural, I'd say. We did use waterproof wood glue.
I've got a vanda in one of them, and it is doing well. They're not that hard at all to make, but I think I would just end up buying baskets next time, since they're inexpensive. Unless you want to make some sort of custom beauty.

[bogdan_orchidboy]

How do you make a wooden basket? I have some timber, I will cut it in egual pieces, but I don't know how to stick the pieces together.
Maybe some photos?

[eSRods]

Snowballsarebad, thank you for good advices. I will use natural wood.

Orchidboy, I was going to drill wood pieces and tie together by running galv. wire through. Make a loop at the end of wire for hanging. Maybe I glue them as well.

Cheers

[bogdan_orchidboy]

Thank you!

Good luck

[snowballsarebad]

Clamps are a must if you use glue, and clamping was a two-person job; one to hold everything still, one to tighten the clamps.
I think the drilling with a wire would be nice, too. Though we've used waterproof wood glue, and it feels pretty solid, I wonder if the water and humidity will eventually get at the basket and cause it to come apart.
The problem with wire is keeping everything straight...once you run the wire through, how are the corners going to keep lined up? Glue might be necessary to still any shifting.

[eSRods]

Made the first one using natural pine. Holes did not line up straight
Got myself a vanda today perfect for the basket

[eSRods]

Hi Snowballsarebad,
We must have typed at the same time.
I used hand held drill so the holes did not line up straight as you have guessed. I also used poly glue to stay formed.
Next ones will get better.
Cheers

[pikevi]

Missed this thread earlier.

Thanks for all the tips.

eSRods: Looks great. I wish I will get mine to look as good as yours.