Hello from new member in Panama

[Bonnie in Panama]

I found this forum this morning while searching for info on how to construct octagonal vanda baskets.

My husband and I retired from North Florida to Boquete, Panama one year ago. I have a fantastic landscaper for our newly-constructed house, and he built me a lovely orchid casita modeled on the one in the Singapore Botanical Gardens: steel frame with wood slat roof and sides.

I have acquired over 100 native orchids from fallen limbs and from local growers, and my landscaper has taught me how to attach them to limbs, plant them in baskets, etc. I have a number of books to help me with identification, cultivation, propagation, etc., but I'm sure I'll be seeking your help from time to time.

[christina waines]

Welcome, your casita looks wonderful. It must be fun to grow outdoors.

[snow]

a great country to grow all sorts of orchids.
don,t forget to show us some of your orchid pics,and welcome to ob

[cb977]

Hi Bonnie...welcome to Orchidboard

What a wonderful casita!!! I look forward to hearing more from you about what you're growing down there

I've often wondered where people from Florida retire to!

[Mike O'C]

Bonnie,
If you live in Panama why not just grow your Vandas tied to a strip of wood and suspended from a fence in full sun?
If you have been to the Orchid Gardens on Barbados West Indies and I think they also do it in the Singapore Botanical Gardens (cannot remember), all the vandaceous orchids are tied to a piece of wire and suspended with the roots just hanging freely into space.
I am trying this out (having seen it done in Barbados) and the roots are now starting out.
Keep well and kind regards
Mike
South Africa

[cb977]

Mike, that's how the majority of my vandas are hangly...free and flowing roots

[Bonnie in Panama]

Originally Posted by Mike O'C

Bonnie,
If you live in Panama why not just grow your Vandas tied to a strip of wood and suspended from a fence in full sun?
If you have been to the Orchid Gardens on Barbados West Indies and I think they also do it in the Singapore Botanical Gardens (cannot remember), all the vandaceous orchids are tied to a piece of wire and suspended with the roots just hanging freely into space.
I am trying this out (having seen it done in Barbados) and the roots are now starting out.
Keep well and kind regards
Mike
South Africa

Good idea. But I also need some large hanging baskets for an open side of the orchid house. Because I can't find any as large as I want, I was planning to construct some vanda baskets, the look of which I prefer to the bowl-shaped. The baskets will not necessarily contain vandas. Some will be lined with sphagnum for ferns and other orchids and trailing plants.

Thanks for your reply!

Bonnie