Quote:
Originally Posted by Roberta
Most of my Stanhopeas are in plastic baskets (6 inch or 8 inch) Then I watch them when they start to develop spikes, if I see one getting stuck, I get out my clippers and cut the basket around it to set it free. Over a few years, new growth pokes out of the hole, no problem... they're epiphytes after all, the remains of the basket stay sufficient to hold the hanger for quite awhile.
A few larger ones are in wire baskets with BIG holes - problem with those is keeping medium (even sphagnum) in place. A trick I have used when potting those is to line the basket with a few layers of newspaper. They hold the sphangum in place until it gets a chance to "solidify" a bit with roots holding it, in a couple of years the paper just disintegrates. And if spikes develop, they can poke through easily. (Some people use coco fiber liners, spikes may or may not poke through, I prefer not to take the chence).
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Thank you for sharing your experience and technique, Roberta—that newspaper method seems especially handy when there are big holes!
I’ve got a ton of galvanized chicken wire that I’ve really got no other use for—the holes in it are roughly hexagonal and the openings are about the size of a half-dollar piece. I was thinking about cutting a 8.5inx11in rectangular piece of chicken wire and “framing” the edges with heavier gauged galvanized wire woven in & out of the holes in the chicken wire to give it some rigidity because chicken wire isn’t the strongest stuff! If I waste not, I want not
Thanks again!
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