Vanda Racks or Stands - Orchid Board

Uechi · #1 11-14-2008, 07:18 AM

I have all my Vandas in hanging baskets suspended from white chain in my pool screen enclosure. I am not particulary happy with the appearance and the crowded look. I am requesting suggestions, with photos, of how other members hang their plants. In particular, I am looking for plant stands or racks that can be used to hang the plants. A recent post showed a rack made of pipe. I would assume that other materials such as pvc could be used. There are a lot of creative members on this forum, I sure would like inputs. Commerically made products are also a possibility. Thanks in advance.

JennS · #2 11-14-2008, 12:50 PM

I personally have mine in a similar crowded an unorganized display which sounds like what you already have, so my personal display is of no help. However, I have seen some people use the carts that are portable for hanging clothes (usually sold at Target or something like that), which are on wheels/casters and I believe come in varying heights.

One thing I have found helpful for myself because my growing area is so small is something I found at Lowe's or Home Depot (I am sure they both have it). In the outdoor gardening section they have a section with all sorts of metal or iron materials and I found some various sizes of shepard's hooks which work great. There are some the have three hooks (which equals 3 vandas, unless you hang them off each other then maybe 6 or 9) and are about 10 or 12 feet tall leaving plenty of room for root growth. I bought one of the shorter ones, maybe 4 feet and my vandas have mostly outgrown that size already.

You could also probably easily construct something out of PVC as you mentioned to cost less. I believe Marilyn did something similar and it works great for her (Grandma M is her SN). Hopefully she will post a pic for you too!

Good luck!

Grandma M · #3 11-15-2008, 10:13 AM

Uechi

I intended to make my vanda rack out ot PVC but was told it would not support the weight of the plants which I have. A lot of mine are in wood baskets and that adds a lot of weight.

I like the suggestion by JennS. That way you could always turn the cart so the sides can be changed to the way the sun hits them, reverse sides exposed to the sun.

I have some vanda seedlings which I now have on an inverted Tomato cage. It worked great but now they are starting to develope so many roots and the plants are outgrowing their home. I'm racking my brain to think of something where they can have a bit more room.

I'm thinking of constructing something similar to where I hang my large plants. I have one problem, height from tray to light. I may need to hang my light from the ceiling to create more heigth. They are now growing in a Housermann grow cart where the lights are attached to the cart.

Growing orchids can be a big challenge. Many of the problems arise, not from culture, but from area and space problems. Sometimes they create a challenge to the abilities of my thinking cap. I just tell myself, that is what makes life interesting. There is almost always a way, I just need to find it.

Good luck - - Marilyn

Uechi · #4 11-15-2008, 11:56 AM

Grandma M,

I think I am going to try the PVC. PVC will flex or even break if too much weight is put on it, but that is dependent on the length of the pipe and its' thickness. I believe that you could easily hold a lot of Vandas on a 12ft section of pipe if you make it from two 6 foot lengths joined by a tee with a supporting foot. I would also put supporting feet on the ends. In any event I'm going to try it, unless one of forum members can come up with a better idea. Metal pipe would work fine but it is expensive and heavy however if it works for you that's all that counts. Thanks for the feedback.

cb977 · #5 11-15-2008, 12:29 PM

I'm posting a picture of how my vandas hang in the screen room...but you can take this a step further, as a friend of mine did. Where I have individual hooks, he mounted plant hangers and placed a long pole across them. He used the kind that have a curve on the bottom and the pipe fit snuggly into it. He was able to hang LOTS of vandas and plants in baskets as he had the system set up on three sides of the enclosure. Coincidentally, he also strung a misting system along that same pipe for ease in caring for them

Sorry I don't have any pictures of his setup but I did the same sort of setup in an area of my orchidroom for when the chids have to be protected from the chilly weather (the third and fourth thumbnails shows this one):

neb · #6 11-16-2008, 11:38 PM

I would imagine if you put a dowel rod inside of the PVC pipe that it would strengthen it. You would just have to have its outside diameter be just a little less then the inside diameter of the pipe.

JanetOS · #7 11-18-2008, 08:10 PM

We had removed some chain link fencing to replace with a privacy fence. My husband kept the pipes* I always thought they were in the way, and what could we use them for??) Well, he wrapped chain around them and hung them from the top of our greenhouse. He only kept a few and I needed more, so the other day, I saw someone had tossed some out for trash, and he picked it up.

So, you can't beat that price!! Be on the lookout, you never know what you'll find!!!
I have also used the clothes racks.

VandaFan · #8 11-21-2008, 08:25 PM

This may be off topic but I just want to share my idea.

I live in Canada and don't have a greenhouse. Hanging vanda indoors or outdoors is not an option for me. Even if I had a greenhouse, vandas and their roots would not look very presentable and take up too much space. Contrary to standard practice, I grow a lot of vandas in pots. My favourite pot size is 8''. The taller the pots, the better they are for future growth. I just drill many(around 12) wholes 3/4'' diameter on the side and a few at the bottom. All roots stay in the pot except a few that stick out. With this, it is very easy to manage. I can bring my plant anywhere easily. I can place them on the table - in the dining room or living room ... I've had this for many years. And, the most important thing is they all grow healthy and bloom regularly - including the sanderiana species. So, why not try that and stop searching for racks and stands.

utah · #9 11-21-2008, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VandaFan

This may be off topic but I just want to share my idea.

I live in Canada and don't have a greenhouse. Hanging vanda indoors or outdoors is not an option for me. Even if I had a greenhouse, vandas and their roots would not look very presentable and take up too much space. Contrary to standard practice, I grow a lot of vandas in pots. My favourite pot size is 8''. The taller the pots, the better they are for future growth. I just drill many(around 12) wholes 3/4'' diameter on the side and a few at the bottom. All roots stay in the pot except a few that stick out. With this, it is very easy to manage. I can bring my plant anywhere easily. I can place them on the table - in the dining room or living room ... I've had this for many years. And, the most important thing is they all grow healthy and bloom regularly - including the sanderiana species. So, why not try that and stop searching for racks and stands.

Oh, pictures please!!!!

VandaFan · #10 11-21-2008, 10:47 PM

I just took the pictures. They are on my C: drive. Don't know how to insert. When I press the insert image, it asks for the URL http://.

I am new. Please help.