DIY coconut pot

[Lani]

Hi everybody,
I'm a newby here, I have been loitering in the background for a few weeks and this is my first post. I live in sunny Cairns, tropical North Queensland, Australia

I have really appreciated all the 'how to' posts and pictures from other members so I thought I would share my latest project...

I decided to make a coconut pot using the whole shell, rather than removing then shell in chunks and 'stitching them back together with wire. Easy enough to do, just requires a hacksaw and something to dig the nut out with (I used a screwdriver). The nut comes out whole and can be use for something else if wanted. I removed much of the soft pith/coir with pilers which provided more room inside (and removed the media that would rot quickly...) I used a large drill bit to make holes in the bottom (for ample drainage) and in the sides to hang the pot. So far I'm quite happy with the outcome, it looks good - and it was free!

Lani

[AussieVanda]

Welcome neighbour! (I'm in Cairns as well).

[WhiteRabbit]

Very cool!

[dounoharm]

great idea! I love your photos too, especially the first one...the coconut looks so worried!! lol.....good job!

[peeweelovesbooks]

Love it. It's pretty cool. Oh, and welcome.

[bethmarie]

Thanks for a great idea, complete with pictures and how-to. And welcome to OB.

I'm not quite a neighbor but I wish I were in Cairns. Does that count?

[RosieC]

Welcome to Orchid Board

Looks really cool. One thing to bear in mind is I've seen picks of these where the roots have burrowed through the coconut making it almost impossible to remove!

[kjennings94]

Wooh! another like-minded orchid grower! Coconuts are great for growing orchids

BTW, I'm from Townsville

After the beach and a handful of coconuts, the dog gets to have a play and i get some potting media/pot. Win-Win!!!

On another note, what type of orchid is in your pot? A cym?

[Lani]

A Townsvillian! I lived there for four years myself (Uni). Coconuts are really useful aren't they. I must admit I'm a bit scared about not soaking the ones from the beach long enough to remove the salts so I usually get mine from a little further inland.
The orchid in the pic is most likely a cymbidium canaliculatum (black orchid). I believe it was saved from a fallen down tree by a friend of mine (who I in turn saved it from her... She has good intentions but not so good watering practice). I know it's not correct practice (being a native species) but the poor thing was half dead when it was found: I like to think of it as a type of conservation

[kjennings94]

I've just started at JCU

To put your heart at ease, i most definitely sterilise them (continuously boil the jug) )

And good job on saving the poor fella. I would have to agree that you are most certainly conserving this beaut aussie native :P