Pots suitable for Catts.

[CA2FLxplant]

I've been pondering this myself and have wondered if a plastic pasta strainer bowl would work...? Might be able to find them really cheap at Salvation Army or Goodwill stores.
I love repurposing things!
I was also looking at something called a spider skimmer for doing some mounts.
So, you can tell I love orchids and kitchen gadgets!

[bil]

Originally Posted by CA2FLxplant

I've been pondering this myself and have wondered if a plastic pasta strainer bowl would work...? Might be able to find them really cheap at Salvation Army or Goodwill stores.
I love repurposing things!
I was also looking at something called a spider skimmer for doing some mounts.
So, you can tell I love orchids and kitchen gadgets!

Well, I like coming up with solutions to problems, whether using kitchen gadgets or whatever.

OK, now here is a question. If I have overlooked anything, do please tell me.

What is there to stop me making wooden trays for Catts?
I was thinking, use a 1cm ply that is wbp, water/boil/ proof or marine grade. Make a tray 10 cm deep, say 20 wide and 30cm long. Make one end project 10 cm below the frame so that it stands on a slope. Like a bed with no legs at the foot. Then, cut a slot at the base, for drainage.
Plant the cat at the foot of the bed so that it is growing uphill. To give it firmness, fit a couple of small screws one at top R and one bottom L, and tie fishing line to one end, then spiral the wire round and tie at the opposite corner.

I reckon the planter would last a couple of years, and if it falls apart, remove the head end, make a new planter that is bigger, and pop the old planter plus roots onto that.
I also thought that if the bark breaks down, you could stand it up, and wash all the bits out, putting new bits of bark in among the roots, which would presumably bond to the plywood bed.

Now. What have I overlooked please? Input both pro and con would be appreciated.

[CA2FLxplant]

I'm relatively new to the orchid world...so I'm no expert...but I love the idea of making wooden slatted bed frames for the chids, and it sounds like your construction plan has a good "out" for when the time comes. And, power tools are fun!
If I had the wherewithal to bring your plan to fruition, I would!! But I don't. So a strainer just sounded easy...LOL.

[tucker85]

I agree with some of the previous posts. Bulb pans or azalea pots are shallower than normal pots. Azalea pots are available in more sizes than the bulb pans. When I use plastic azalea pots, I usually drill a few extra holes around the sides of the pots to allow for faster drying.

[bil]

Originally Posted by CA2FLxplant

I'm relatively new to the orchid world...so I'm no expert...but I love the idea of making wooden slatted bed frames for the chids, and it sounds like your construction plan has a good "out" for when the time comes. And, power tools are fun!
If I had the wherewithal to bring your plan to fruition, I would!! But I don't. So a strainer just sounded easy...LOL.

Well, I like the teak baskets, but you would rip half the roots off, repotting or have to put the old basket into a new. The sloping 'bed' has the advantage that it offers a good surface for the roots to meld to, and no holes for roots. The drainage slot would be wide, and because the old pseudobulbs would be at the bottom, the plant would grow uphill and away from the drainage slot. Plus, if the medium is washable out, there is no need to repot, just wash 'n go. Ahaha.

I can't as yet see any down points, but that may be because I am so new to orchid growing. So, if any of the more experienced techie growers read this, I would really appreciate feedback, good or bad.

[tucker85]

Originally Posted by bil

Well, I like the teak baskets, but you would rip half the roots off, repotting or have to put the old basket into a new. The sloping 'bed' has the advantage that it offers a good surface for the roots to meld to, and no holes for roots. The drainage slot would be wide, and because the old pseudobulbs would be at the bottom, the plant would grow uphill and away from the drainage slot. Plus, if the medium is washable out, there is no need to repot, just wash 'n go. Ahaha.

I can't as yet see any down points, but that may be because I am so new to orchid growing. So, if any of the more experienced techie growers read this, I would really appreciate feedback, good or bad.

I grow most of my cattleyas in wood baskets with large chunks of cork as the only media. It works for me because I grow outdoors in South Florida. You do not need to worry about overpotting with baskets. You can put a small orchid in a basket with room for many years of new growth. You also don't need to worry about overwatering if you use large media like I do. Because you leave an orchid in a basket for many years, you don't need to disturb the roots and the orchid can get very large. Even when the plant grows out over the side it will just start growing on the outside of the basket. The only down side to baskets are that the orchids require more frequent watering, it's more difficult to stake the flowers in baskets but it is possible and the baskets will sometimes rot. it is difficult to remove a plant from a basket but it can be done by removing the wires that hold the basket together and removing each slat separately, cutting only the roots that are necessary to cut. The goal is to leave the plant alone for many years.

[bil]

Originally Posted by tucker85

I grow most of my cattleyas in wood baskets with large chunks of cork as the only media. It works for me because I grow outdoors in South Florida. You do not need to worry about overpotting with baskets. You can put a small orchid in a basket with room for many years of new growth. You also don't need to worry about overwatering if you use large media like I do. Because you leave an orchid in a basket for many years, you don't need to disturb the roots and the orchid can get very large. Even when the plant grows out over the side it will just start growing on the outside of the basket. The only down side to baskets are that the orchids require more frequent watering, it's more difficult to stake the flowers in baskets but it is possible and the baskets will sometimes rot. it is difficult to remove a plant from a basket but it can be done by removing the wires that hold the basket together and removing each slat separately, cutting only the roots that are necessary to cut. The goal is to leave the plant alone for many years.

I tell you straight, that is one damn fine Cattleya.

If I manage to grow one like that I shall be very, very pleased.

[CA2FLxplant]

Originally Posted by bil

I tell you straight, that is one damn fine Cattleya.

If I manage to grow one like that I shall be very, very pleased.

DITTO!!

[Kari_Stein]

I found that packing peanuts/styrofoam bits were so light that my pots tended to tip. What worked wonderfully was cheap marbles (like for the game). They're heavy and allow air and water flow.

[wintergirl]

Originally Posted by Kari_Stein

I found that packing peanuts/styrofoam bits were so light that my pots tended to tip. What worked wonderfully was cheap marbles (like for the game). They're heavy and allow air and water flow.

Thank you for this tip. I am planning to repot soon and was going to use styrofoam. Your idea is better. I was just sending some old marbles to Goodwill, I will fetch them out of the box. Thanks!