tangentially related to orchid- who makes their own supplies? what and how?

[rbarata]

I buy 2m wood strips and cut them by hand as needed (the baskets are built according the size I need).
You'll find several youtube videos on how to buld them, although they're not needed as a basket is a simple thing.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Dusty Ol' Man

A table saw makes cutting strips easy. A chop saw makes cutting lengths repeatable. And if you want to go all out, a small lathe let's you make corner pins from scraps!

I am not a fan of wooden corner pins. I purchased a few baskets made that way, and having the most surface-to-volume ratio, the pins are the first thing to fail.

Instead, I run fairly heavy wire vertically through holes in the corners, bending a "U" at the bottom, then using needle-nose pliers to form a loop at the top, where the hangers attach, while simultaneously tightening the stack.

[rbarata]

Originally Posted by Ray

Instead, I run fairly heavy wire vertically through holes in the corners, bending a "U" at the bottom, then using needle-nose pliers to form a loop at the top, where the hangers attach, while simultaneously tightening the stack.

That's the technique I use also.

[DirtyCoconuts]

excellent!1 thanks all

i was going to use the wire method as well..a pin nailer to secure the bottom slats.

I think that the big bog store has cedar in 1x10 and 1x8 that should be good for just setting that fence and cutting 60-70 strips- that should be plenty to play with and maybe try a plaque or raft first

[Ray]

Something else you might consider for rafts of vertical mounts, using your "bottom slats" thinking:

Make a several-layer thick "stacked grid", with each slat layer being oriented 90° from the one below it. Last time I did that, each of the slats was 1/4" thick x 1/2" wide, with layers spaced 1/4" apart, and there were 9 layers altogether (see attached for VERY rough sketch).

The idea is a very open wood structure (cedar absorbs well) that stays moist and airy with lots of surface area throughout its depth for roots to attach to. I suppose you can think of it as a shallow basket filled with slats, usable vertically or horizontally.

[DirtyCoconuts]

So you do this with no medium? Brilliant

[Dusty Ol' Man]

Originally Posted by Ray

I am not a fan of wooden corner pins. I purchased a few baskets made that way, and having the most surface-to-volume ratio, the pins are the first thing to fail.

Instead, I run fairly heavy wire vertically through holes in the corners, bending a "U" at the bottom, then using needle-nose pliers to form a loop at the top, where the hangers attach, while simultaneously tightening the stack.

I can see your point about the wire providing a place for attaching hangers, but if the corners are assembled flush in all directions, and the pins glued with a good polyurethane glue, there is no exposed surface on the pins except the very ends. Being an old woodworker,(I have built a lot of projects for the home over the years) addressing exposure issues for outdoor projects is key.
That said, your wire method would also allow a way to replace any parts which might fail with ease.

[Orchid Whisperer]

I make mounts.

Decorative wood mounts are made from natural heart-of-pine that has weathered. Usually just cut to desired size, attach a hanger wire, that's it. The occasional mount may need more support on the back, wire an hot glue.

I also make mounts that are not intended to be decorative from weathered old cedar fence pickets.

For some seedlings, I make mounts from plastic gutter guard, formed into a pocket. Fill with sphagnum, add a hook, mount the seedling onto that. Works well for small plants.

[Fuerte Rav]

Not for orchids but for milkweed! I need another 'cage' for plants to grow in before they get caterpillared

Was just thinking about what and where when I went to walk my dog. Lo and behold, by the wheelie bins, was an old wooden sunbed with one top section broken. I immediately spotted the possibility of using the main frame as the top frame of my new milkweed cage. Took my dog home and went back to drag the sunbed about 1km home!

I'll be working on it next week and will update progress. I just love upcycling, especially wood which all has to be imported here.

[DirtyCoconuts]

hell yeah!!

you dragged that a KM??! you are a beast lol

i cant wait to see what you create

is it super heavy? it might be teak which would be amazing