Expert: Wayne King - 10/11/2009

Question
Wayne,

I bought my first 3 Vandas yesterday, they are currently hanging off a long metal hook (2-3 feet long).

I am fairly handy with building stuff so I am thinking that I can build something to hang them in, their root hang down 2-3 ft.

Question: do you know of any stands people use to hang these? especially anything made out of wood.

I am thinking that even a hanging rope line "off two poles" would serve be sufficient, but wanted something that would look nice off in my screened-in patio (pool area).

I thought I would ask prior to starting on building something that perhaps someone else has built in a nice way.

Thanks in advance,
Angelo

Answer
Angelo, the first thing I would check out is the possibility of hanging it from a horizontal support member of your patio framing. You may be able to slide the hook between the support and your screening over the support so the hook hangs from the existing support.  Typically, vandas grow in wooden slat baskets and, hence, would not pose a weight problem on your patio support framing. If that would not work, you may be able to find some clamps that will clamp to the framing. You will be able to locate clamps (I know Home Depot has a range of clamp sizes), and drill a hole in one handle of the clamp through which you can insert one end of a S-hook and hand your long metal hook fron that.  Before trying to build a tree stand or other sepsrate structure for hanging the plants, I would investigate the possibility of using the screening supports.