Idea for hanging bromeliads in trees

I saw these basket liners (made from Coconut fibre) in a cheapie shop, so bought a few and came home and played with them.

First, I folded one in half and cut a slit at either side

Then I threaded the leg of a stocking through both slits, (brown, to blend in).

Then I pulled the sides of the basket together and secured the stocking with a knot in the centre of the liner

This message was edited Jun 26, 2008 6:00 PM

I then tied the stocking around a post and shaped the liner into two pockets.
Depending on the size of the liner, you can plant straight into them, or simply drop an already potted specimen in. You could also use this idea for displaying other types of plants.

Here is one I hung on my tree fern. It has Bibergia nutans in it. I planted them with soil and hope they will grow and attach themselves to the trunk, as time goes by. They are almost flowering, so it should look a treat!

These are done the same way, but I have dropped a pot of mini Neoregelias in each pocket.
Of course, I have used Spanish moss to disguise the pot edges, and this will grow in time, to hang down the trunk.

The next liner I played with, I folded in half and cut down the fold

This gave me two pieces, with the original top edge and a cut edge

I then cut 2 slits at each end of the original top edge, and 2 evenly spaced slits along the cut edge. Then I threaded a leg of stocking through the slits. In the picture, the original edge is closest to you. You can use the liner either way up.

This is the liner attached with the original edge up. It forms a pocket suitable for a small potted mini Neoregelia or the like

See?

I found that with a larger, top heavy brom, I had to turn the liner so that the cut edge was up, and the stocking then was at the top.
I tied it around the top of the pot and tree in one go,
then crossed it over behind the tree,
and tied it around the bottom of the liner and tree
before tying it off at the back of the tree.
This is Aechmea 'Dart'

well, thanks! I guess no one thinks this is a good idea?

I think it is an excellent idea. I especially like the second one where you wrap the liner around the pole. I will have to try that! Thanks for sharing.

Thank you for your reply! The thread has got a lot of views, but no additional posts, and I was beginning to think maybe my idea was crap! If only one person thinks its a good idea, I am happy! Thanks again angel_tree_baby!
Sue

Weedwoman, I know how you feel about no replies:). I sometimes get the feeling I'm a "jinx", there are no more after mine!! Can't let it bother us though cause I think folks look at these threads, think its a good idea and then they're onto something else, intending to go back to it later, maybe ADD? Guilty of that myself. I think your ideas are a really good and dollar-wise way to exhibit your broms. I have several that I bring home for the summer months (a friend overwinters them in her greenhouse). Must get out there and divide them soon though, they've over-run their pots.
Are you in winter down there?

weed woman that is a great idea.

my husband came up with this idea. it is kind of hard to see but the hard shell part of a queen palm frond is upside down then he just wrapped fishing wire around it.

Thanks Bugme, for replying. Nice of you to do so. Yes we are in winter. I know its not as cold as alot of other winter areas, but yuk, I hate the cold! Luckily we can have broms all year around. I would hate to part with any of them!
Hi Candela, thanks for your idea. Its good to find uses for those fronds! We have bangalow palms that have nice sheaths, I might see what I can do with one of those.
Wow! 2 answers in 2 days!
More please! LOL

This message was edited Aug 12, 2008 5:48 PM

Those are all great ideas and have both a practical application as well as a natual look.

Thank you for such clear instructions and pictures for your ideas! I have been thinking about putting some of my
bromeliads in different places, and this certainly gives me one way to do it. :)

Now worries Flamingo fern. I hope it works for you.
Sue

Another thing you can use is 1/4 of a coconut husk...we nail them, actually, to the tree and then grow broms and orchids in them...works like a charm.

Carol

mmmmm, thats a great idea if you have access to coconut husks! Its a wee bit cool to grow coconuts here though. I wonder if I can get my sister to send me one or two to play with?
Thanks for the great idea Carol!

WW - talking about the big husk...not the shell. Just to clarify.

Great information and awesome photosgraphs explaining exactly how to do it. I'll be sure and do a few of these next spring/summer.

I have just started using the huge heavy duty moss lined wire baskets to hang bromeliads from the trees and everything else around my place. I think I'll try some of your ideals too Weed Woman. I just wish I had access to someone I could exchange plants/bromeliads with here in the states.

Happy Gardening and thanks again,
Lovelyiris

All of your ideas are SO good. I love the queen palm 'sheathes'... I love those coir liners...but here they cost a fortune...but I can make them out of moss growing on my rocks....for the wetter loving epis.

Since we last talked, I murdered my entire collection of brommies (save a couple of Vriesas) by spraying seaweed extract on them as I was spraying the rest of the garden. Dead...horrible experience.

And the good news is that I will replace them...and tomorrow go to pickup the shrapnel from a visit to David Fry's nursery... and got to wander thru and pick what I wanted...actually walk down the tables and pick out the Vriesias I wanted from the seedling growing out!!! Oh my gosh!!! I really should post pictures of the before and after..and then the new....it has been an ordeal!

Carol

Oh Carol, how awful! I would not have known that seaweed fert would kill the broms! I had read not to put fert in the vases, so have only ever added slow release granules to the soil. You poor thing, that must've been devastating!
We just had a massive hailstorm, and thankfully i had moved my babaies to their new display house weeks before, so no damage to the special bunch, but alot of split leaves in the garden broms! Not to worry, they will pup up.
So who is David Fry, and how did you go with the shopping? Yes please, pictures!
Sue

OOOOOps...it is David Fell - I spaced the spelling. Yes, I will get them tomorrow (Monday) and will send photos. One is a huge "Silver" thing - I can't wait!!!

Hi all just came across this thread, great ideas and I just knew there had to be a use for those queen palm things!.
I have a few broms most are in the ground or in pots waiting for next spring . I planted a few planted direct onto a pineapple palm.

Just brought this one in because of the freezes we had recently and it has to be tidied up

This message was edited Nov 24, 2008 10:10 PM

Hi Fleurone, glad to see another bromaniac! Theres not a real lot of us dropping in regularly, but feel free to stop by and chat about broms anytime. Photos are a must! LOL
(I'm always dropping in for a look)
Sue

Hi Sue thank you for the welcome. Definitely becoming a bromaniac, it was a new passion this year so I still have lots to learn.! The collection is steadily growing and yes I will take some pictures.

Excellent Fleurone! That looks like a Bilbergia pyramidalis?
Do you have any good reference books on broms, or are you a googler like me? I googled Bromeliad images, and it keeps me happy for hours.

I just recently purchased a brom and I know they have to be overwintered in my area but will I be able to put it outside once the wearther turns warm again? Right now it is young but does have a bloom on it. How big do they normally get?

Hi weed woman yes it is , no books on them yet, I am sure that will happen though!.

flowerfantasy some get really big, do you know which one you have?

This was my first one Aechmea Blanchetina it now has two pups :)

This is Queens Tears

another of QT

This one was called/labelled roseo linata but I couldn't find it in plant files.

Birdsong

A freebie little noid