I'm sure you all have seen these already - but "just in case" http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7757975250&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fsearch.dll%3Fcgiurl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcgi.ebay.com%252Fws%252F%26fkr%3D1%26from%3DR8%26satitle%3D7757975250%26category0%3D%26fvi%3D1 I've finally used these on my Epis and am thrilled!! I'll know better how they stand up to time (rust etc.) further down the road for know - they're perfect. I'm going to order the other kind this seller has for plastic pots - these that I purchased for for the clay pots & others that have a ridge around them. I put them out in my tree in the front yard where they'll get plenty of heat and filtered light!!
Outside hangers for your Epis
Chantell,
This is my second attempt to reply to you. The first one went NOWHERE! When I hit "send", it just sat here forever. I restarted my Computer, but lost all I had typed, though--- (of course!).
Anyway! I have been wondering myself how to hang my 3 Epi pots. They have been in regular 6" plastic pots, but when I put them outside, I put the plastic pots inside heavy ceramic pots for anchoring and weight. The Epis have grown quite a lot and are pretty top heavy. I got them about 5 years ago (as a single leaf) from Karen in CA (Kachinagirl). I have 2 Red Epis and one white, night blooming Cereus. One of the Reds just bloomed for the first time. Very pretty!
Anyway! I checked out the link and I cannot use those kind of hangers as my pots have no lip.
I have been thinking about resurrecting my macramé skills and making 3 simple, hangers, with enough of a "basket"/"cradle" in the bottom part to hold the heavy pots securely. I have enough macramé twine left over. All I need is time......Ahh-- yes! Precious time!!!
I will keep checking to see if anyone has any better suggestions.
Gita
Hey Gita,
I just looked at that ebay seller b/c I thought they had something for plastic pots (w/o lips on them). Looks like the only thing they have is this http://cgi.ebay.com/24-3-WIRE-METAL-ORCHID-PLANT-NET-POT-HANGER-QTY-5_W0QQitemZ110129940778QQihZ001QQcategoryZ25461QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem which would require you drilling holes in the pot. I'm not very handy with power tools so I dont' think that would work for me...I'll keep looking. Let me know if you find anything as well. Macrame' eh? Mercy...sure I'd remember...but it's been years and I think the only things I made were jewelary type items...LOL
Chantell,
I am a very frugal soul! If I can make it--I will. I'd rather not spend money to buy from somewhere else. Plus all the shipping and all that.
You know the old saying: "Where there's a will--there's a way!".
Gita
Absolutely - I agree...hey, you could start making these for next year's swap, eh? :)
If you're in a hurry, all you have to do is measure out a length of whatever twine you have to 4 times the length you want the hanger to be, half it, run it through a ring, cut the one loop at the bottom (the half way fold), tie a knot at the bottom with the four strands and put the pot in it - instant and simple hanger! I have done this many times and, after awhile, the plant will cover it up and nobody will see how simple it is.
I have done a bit of marcrame' in the past - fun, pretty, but time consuming - and I usually have a plant or two that needed a hanger last week. So now I go with the quick and simple. Given a few minutes to play with it, some simple braiding will be just as effective until the plant hides it all.
ginni
Great idea!!! Mine's hanging from branches in a dwarf tree I have so you wouldn't see it - just like you said!!!
I hang mine in several ways.
1. I use clay pots for most of them and I made this stand to hang the pots on. It is a 4"x4" fence post about 6" tall I think it holds 12 pots. (Don't remember for sure...LOL) I cut pieces of 1"x2" with a notch to slip the pots into. Sorry Gita it does take some wook working skills. I can draw and write directions if anyone wants it. (Pictured are some cuttings from last Fall)
2. I just use regular 10" plastic hanging baskets. Some of my biggest Eppies are in these baskets.
3. I drill holes in clay Azalea pots and attach 3 pieces of chain to make a hanger. I also use these for my Hoyas.
This message was edited May 29, 2007 5:35 PM
When not gardening I love to make pottery. Here is a picture of my Ric Rac in a clay basket that I made. The pot is about 12" across and the plant is about 5'. There are lots of open spaces in the pot for drainage.
Betty
As to wood working, I luck out there - DH makes the slat baskets for me.
Hope I don't bore you, but I will post a few pictures for you to see how mine are set up.
This is the frame work, an old swing frame that I "inherited years ago.
I have several styles of baskets - This one is for epis. Its lined inside with plastic screening and as far as I can tell, the plant is happy
ginni...What a good idea the swing set is. I would never have thought of that. My neighbors children have outgrown theirs maybe I need to go get it for my plants/I mean grand children. LOL
The slat pot holders are a great idea. I have used them for Orchids and Hoyas but not for Eppies yet.
Betty
This one is multi-purpsoe and several sizes. Some have orchids planted directly into them in bark. Some have orchids or epis in clay pots and set into the basket. And there are two sizes and two shapes of baskets.
Oh wow, do I treasure my hubby!!!!
ginni
Beautiful work.
I treasure my Hubby, but wouldn't DARE let him close to MY saw. He is not handy with tools at all. LOL Thats OK, I wouldn't trade him.
Betty
Chantell,
If I made any macramé hangers for pots, they would NOT be just for trade. They would be for sale, and, because of that, I would NOT be able to do that for a Swap. It takes too much time to do them "right".
Besides--WHERE can you still buy macramé cords????? Glad I still have a box-full of my old ones.
Tgif--
I would not trust a plant hanger without some extra "crossovers of the cord at the bottom to make a "cradle" to really hold the pot in. It can slip through if you do not have these.
Picabo,
Your idea of drilling holes and attaching chains sounds workable.
I am just afraid to pot-up from my 6" pots to a bigger one as I have heard that Epis like to be pot bound to bloom. Can you comment on this? HOW pot bound and HOW dry do they like to be?:??
HEY! Have any of you signed up for this site yet? There is NO FEE, but you have to register. I signed up, as they seem to have a lot more plants "covered" than just Epis.
http://www.epiforums.com/index.php
OK! Gita
Gita. My poor Eppies should report me for abuse. There are roots running out all parts of the pot. The Ric Rac has been in that pot for about 4 years and has bloomed every year after the first year. It is way past time that I would have repotted but it blooms so well I hate to bother it. I have to repot because of sunburn.
I start all my eppies in 6" clay pots and move up when the pot is full of roots. That stand is in full afternoon sun and they get watered when I think about it. Maybe once a week. I think that they bloom better when stressed, there is just finding that balance between Stress and hurting the plant.
Betty
Gita...I was kidding you...I'm so sorry that came across that way...seriously!! I know how long it takes me to do various crafts - believe me I wasn't trying to sound flip about your hard work.
Ginni and Betty...what great ideas!!! I'm kinda embarrassed about my sad babies. The ones given to me are thriving...the cutting I BOUGHT off ebay...they're barely hanging on...I really hope to see some REAL growth this year!!