Vanda baskets

[pikevi]

Hi,

Has anyone made vanda baskets?

Or does anyone know of a good link with good instructions?

Thanks

[tom499]

if you just want plastic basic baskets, the baskets pond plants grow in are good. they come in a range of sizes can could be easily fitted with wires for hanging up.

[pikevi]

Hi tom499.

I was planning to build those with wooden pieces. I have bought a few wooden slats and also a few power tools and can cut them to make different size baskets. I am thinking of a way to anchor the pieces together : 1).to use a stake for each corner or 2). use thick metal wire to run through the whole lentgh of the corners.

I am still looking for info even though I am ready to go

Thanks for the info on plastic baskets.

[jerrymeola]

I once made them with a neighbor as a lark. It is a lot of work for a very cheap product.

Cut the pieces to size, drill a hole in the end of each (you will need a form to keep them square) and run a galvanized wire through it. They rust fast.

It takes over a half hour to make a $2 basket. It was fun only once.

[prisana]

Pikevi, I see that you're motivated I've seen a pic of how to make yourself wooden baskets in one of the orchid books, it's not hard to make, however, to make just one seems like a lot of work. Making a whole bunch while you're at it is something else, though. I know many orchid enthusiasts out there don't have access to wooden vanda baskets, so it only makes sense to make one yourself .

Jerry's method of making the basket is pretty much the same as the one I saw. If you already have a basket, it's really easy to replicate, but then again, I'm no carpenter.. and neither am I crafty.

If I come across a link , I'll be sure to post it for you..Good luck on your project.

[snowballsarebad]

My fiance made me one, using pine, outdoor wood glue, and clamps, and wire for hanging.
Instead of running the wire through, the basket is glued together, and it holds pretty well. Much less work than drilling and wiring I think.
However, I still don't think the effort put into making it is really worth it. He had to cut the wood, and it took a while to get it all glued together. It's a nice basket, and my vanda's pretty happy in it, but I think we'll bypass all the work and just buy the next basket.

[pikevi]

I thank everyone for the suggestions.

I have Vandas of varying sizes and that is the reason I decided to make my own baskets. Besides it will give a chance to learn something new

As you can see the Vanda Pat's Delight is giving out nice roots.

I am attaching the photos of the vandas/alliances

[kmarch]

I know a guy in an orchid club I used to belong to who dabbled in pottery. He made all sorts of orchid pots. The pots he made looked like they were made out of layered strips of clay and somewhat resembled what might be considered a clay "net pot". The drinage in them was excellent and he had quite a bit of success wth them. I think they'd be ideal for Vandaceous orchids. Of course it requires clay...and a kiln...I think power tools are cheaper.

[fred]

nice looking vandas pikevi

thank you for sharing the pics with us.

[pikevi]

kmarch: I can almost visualise it. What a wonderful idea. I wish I had that skill!

I will stick to basket making for now. It will be cheaper and if I make a mistake I will tie the slats together with strings and make it work!!

fred: Thank you. Two of them are recent additions. The V.kultana and V. Pat's Delight have been with me for about 10 weeks. They both have put forth only two leaves each, thus far