“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
The inspiration for this project came from wanting something nicer to display the orchid on instead of the plastic basket the orchid was sold in… Not exactly attractive. This is what we came up with…
In this project we used bamboo as a support for the orchids. The bamboo lattice had already been constructed before we began this project so we have no photos on creating it, but it’s very simple. All you need is some aluminum wire to wrap around the bamboo wherever it intersects on your grid. Then use industrial strength glue (we use E600) to reinforce the intersections and then add some sheet moss before the glue dries. We may build another one and show how it’s done, but like I said, it’s very simple.
Helpful Tools
- Aluminum wire
- Wire cutters
- E600 glue (if you’re building a lattice)
- Sheet Moss & Orchid
Step One: Remove Orchid from Basket
The orchids we used for this project are Vandas because of their long dramatic roots. They normally come in a small plastic basket with the root growing out every possible hole. First thing you want to do is to very cautiously cut the basket away from the roots. We used wire cutters and took our time to avoid cutting the roots by mistake. If you accidentally chop a root, it’s not the end of the world, the plant should be okay. Go slow, be patient (hence the quote at the top), and keep going til the basket is gone and most likely in many pieces.
Step Two: Mounting
Pull some of the roots through the lattice to the other side so the main stem is resting on a horizontal piece of your bamboo grid.
Step Three: Wrap Sheet Moss
Gently wrap some sheet moss around the base of the plant. Use more or less depending on the desired look. Moss is generally used for aesthetic purposes but it will help in retaining moisture.
Step Four: Secure with Wire
Wrap the sheet moss and orchid to the bamboo with wire but not too tight, you don’t want to crush the roots underneath. Think of tying your shoelaces….. you want you shoe to be snug but not cut off your circulation!
Step Five: Finish
Here you have the finished project unless you want to add more than one orchid which is what we did. We added 3 more by following all the steps per orchid. It’s a matter of preference on how many you want to add. Be creative and use your imagination. Remember, it’s a plant, not a nuclear device, so don’t worry too much about mistakes and have fun!
See what it looks like 1 1/2 years later in, Orchids on Bamboo Lattice Revisited!
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Beautiful, structured design — lush as a jungle.
Do orchids in the wild ordinarily attach to bamboo trees or are bamboo stems too hard and smooth for them to attach?
Orchids like “spongey material” to grow on as it holds moisture. Bamboo is hard material, that’s why they added the sphagnum moss.
It’s like most orchids want to attach themselves & are content, but Vanda orchids are different.
Though they attach themselves, they still like their roots dangling. Their roots are usually 2-3 times the length of the plant itself.
I currently have 2 Vandas from this year, red & blue.
Blue may be hardy to freezing, but the red states 55’F minimum…
I am going to try this on the back greenhouse wall faceing ESE…
Super
As a rule, the rougher the surface, the better the seed will attach to the tree. Since bamboo is so smooth, orchids are probably not as likely to attach….but not unheard of…
How do you water this?
We just spray it with the hose and sometimes we hang it in the shower.
How often do you water an orchid
depends on what type of orchid you have, is a cattleya, vanda, oncidium, phalanopsis, or cymbidium cattleyas and oncidiums like to be watered once a week they like to dry out , the other orchids like to be watered a bit more frequent,… if you know what type of orchid you have let me know and i will be more specific on the care for that type.
thank you for the idea. i really like it. can you tell me how or show a picture for keeping the top of the plant up. im guessing you tied it someplace but cant see it. thanks
Hi you’re welcome! Yes, we secured it with wire after wrapping some moss around the plant. Simple really, nothing fancy.
How do you water the vandals on this lattice?
We use the garden hose on spray setting
Love this idea, we are looking for artistic structures to grow orchids. We live in Ecuador and orchids thrive here.
My question is how do the orchids get nutrients and or how do you fertilize?
Thank you…Robin
Hi Robin,
I usually use a water soluble fertilizer and a spray bottle. The fertilizer can be specifically for orchids or a more general fertilizer. I use a 14,14,14 granule osmocote controlled release fertilizer that lasts for 3 months giving a controlled amount of Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium.