Orchid Hobby tips & ideas to save money

[calvin_orchidL]

This is the best thread ever, especially for me, a poor student on a tight budget! Here are some things I have done or are about to try:

1. For great (although somewhat ugly..but it's all subjective..I find the usage of recycled materials quite attractive actually tbh!) cymbidium pots (especially for chinese/asian cymbidiums that like the tall pots for roots), take a large water bottle or a pop bottle and just cut the top off and you have yourself a tall, skinny pot! If you get see-through ones you can even see the roots growing!

2. This is an old budget saver but I thought I'd mention it - use those fluorescent light egg crate plastic grid type things for humidity/drip trays...just stick em in a larger tray, and all the water from your orchids will collect on the bottom without rotting your roots!

3. This is a trick which I have yet to employ....you can usually get incredibly cheap grow-lights from police auctions...there are grow-op busts all the time, and the police sell what they find after it's been used as evidence, to raise money. Ballasts and bulbs and everything!

4. This is another thing which I haven't tried yet...a little too heavy duty for me, but if you want cheap light reflectors, buy foot diameter aluminum drainage pipe from home depot, cut it in half and paint the inside white. Then drill some holes and voila - instant light reflector!

hmm I'm sure there are more ways but I can't think of any...will reply when I do Great idea for a thread and I'm excited about saving even MORE money...more money = more plants!

[Phal grower]

I was trying to figure out a cheap idea for orchid pots and other plants for that matter so I came up with this. I buy the clear plastic drinking cups that are a buck or two and make my own pots. You can usually get them in a couple sizes and I like to see whats going on with the roots. First I take a scissors and trim the cup to the desired height, then I use a a razorblade to cut drainage holes in the bottom. I tried a drill for the holes at first but had better luck with the razorblade. Now these only work for smaller orchids but I liked the results. I'll post some for you all.

[Eyebabe]

When re-using any containers that held produce...berries, onions etc. I recommend a good 15 minute soak in some bleach solution.
Viruses can be transmitted from the plant matter residue to your orchid collection so think "clean"

Biggest money saver for me was a mini blow torch to sterilize my cutting instruments when I prune and repot.

[dabblin-n-orchids]

Originally Posted by calvin_orchidL

3. This is a trick which I have yet to employ....you can usually get incredibly cheap grow-lights from police auctions...there are grow-op busts all the time, and the police sell what they find after it's been used as evidence, to raise money. Ballasts and bulbs and everything!

I like the sound of that! and along the lines of recycled pots i am a big fan of old plastic peanut butter jars (being a poor college student i eat a LOT of peanut butter). they are good ESPECIALLY for my S/H projects because they are a lot more sturdy than say a cup or soda bottle so they are less likely split under the heavy media not to mention i just poke holes at the top of the flare so i don't have to measure.

[sii]

I had to do a double take when I saw this thread. Great idea!

* I too have used deli containers as a way of keeping humidity around a plant.
* when we eat at our favourite japanese restaurant they always give us chopsticks (we still haven't figured out how to use them) so I take them home and use as a way to check for moisture. Similar to people using skewers
*we made a rhizome clip out of a coat hanger. Need pliers
*to label my plants I use clean popsicle sticks

[ezil]

Next time you buy a sundae or a cool drink in a plastic container, don't throw it out, especially the ones that have a lid with a hole for straws or spoons. They are ideal "greenhouses". The ones without lids I use to soak mounted plants in. That way each plant is watered individually.

[Daethen]

Ok, my best one is using the little measuring cup that comes with nyquil for small seedlings. I use a really small phillips screwdriver heated on the stove to melt drain and air holes in it. I also use the 3 oz. plastic cups for slightly larger seedlings.

When I get prime rib take out they send the auju (sp) in a little plastic tub. It is perfect for holding extra water in to sit my 3" masdie pots in.

I also love walking through the woods to find all kinds of free material to mount my chids to. Just treat with hot bleach water over night then keep rinsing till all the tanins are removed.

[Junebug]

Dollar Tree stores carry seasonal plant supplies. Nothing is priced over a dollar. Some that I've found useful are:

Pointed locking plant snips in a variety of bright, "easy to see" colors. They're not heavy duty but they work great and last a season or two. I'm always misplacing my snips so I bought 3 pair this year.

Twelve inch Coco husk liners. These can be used to line a pot or with little effort they can be pulled apart and used as fiber.

Set of 6 - 6" clear plastic drain trays.

Charcoal lighters are always available and they're handy for sterilizing blades.

They have quart sized spray bottles too, but I usually recycle empty spray bottles or at least save the spray nozzle and stem.

I've found a lot of cool orchid stuff at thrift shops too. Examples:

A unique terracotta flower pot with an open weave basket design.

Used and new terracotta orchid pots. I scrub them, soak them in bleach water and bake before using.

A cactus skeleton that I turned into an orchid mount.

I rescued 3 sad little orchids that someone was donating one day, just as I was leaving. The clerk didn't charge me anything for them and just gave them to me.

On more than one occassion I've found new unopened packages of raffia.

Plant stands.

Rectangular wire baskets.

Metal grids for topping plant stands.

Hooks and chains for hanging plants.

Huge oversized fork and spoon, hand carved and made of teak. These I used as orchid mounts.

Another thrift shop freebie was 2 maple crib rails that I plan to convert into tops for plant stands. The store personel were getting ready to toss the rails because they had no crib. I overheard the discussion and offered to take them off their hands.

I've purchased large Rubbermaid tubs for practically nothing and they're great for soaking, mixing, or storage.

[seabead22]

I would LOVE to see a pic of your fork and spoon mounts!

Originally Posted by Junebug

Dollar Tree stores carry seasonal plant supplies. Nothing is priced over a dollar. Some that I've found useful are:

Pointed locking plant snips in a variety of bright, "easy to see" colors. They're not heavy duty but they work great and last a season or two. I'm always misplacing my snips so I bought 3 pair this year.

Twelve inch Coco husk liners. These can be used to line a pot or with little effort they can be pulled apart and used as fiber.

Set of 6 - 6" clear plastic drain trays.

Charcoal lighters are always available and they're handy for sterilizing blades.

They have quart sized spray bottles too, but I usually recycle empty spray bottles or at least save the spray nozzle and stem.

I've found a lot of cool orchid stuff at thrift shops too. Examples:

A unique terracotta flower pot with an open weave basket design.

Used and new terracotta orchid pots. I scrub them, soak them in bleach water and bake before using.

A cactus skeleton that I turned into an orchid mount.

I rescued 3 sad little orchids that someone was donating one day, just as I was leaving. The clerk didn't charge me anything for them and just gave them to me.

On more than one occassion I've found new unopened packages of raffia.

Plant stands.

Rectangular wire baskets.

Metal grids for topping plant stands.

Hooks and chains for hanging plants.

Huge oversized fork and spoon, hand carved and made of teak. These I used as orchid mounts.

Another thrift shop freebie was 2 maple crib rails that I plan to convert into tops for plant stands. The store personel were getting ready to toss the rails because they had no crib. I overheard the discussion and offered to take them off their hands.

I've purchased large Rubbermaid tubs for practically nothing and they're great for soaking, mixing, or storage.

[Gage]

Originally Posted by seabead22

I would LOVE to see a pic of your fork and spoon mounts!

I second that!