Hanging an Orchid Indoor (One Method)

I must admit I'm one of the millions out there who failed in so many ways to keep an orchid or two alive past its bloom (so many I lost count, in my case) but  they're still our favorite to mark one special occasion or another. It is a yearly multi-billion dollar industry worldwide and I must say it is one of the most successful feats of adaptation by a plant that insures its survival and widespread existence, using humans as its most ardent patron and promoter. That might require some explanation, but not in a woodworking blog 😎!

 

What to do after an anniversary, birthday, or any reason to spend the dollars on a single plant?  This one here was part of the breakfast ensemble I prepared for our wedding anniversary two months ago. I decided to hang this one by the kitchen's bay window while there are still blooms left.

Since we bought the home there were already two hooks at the ceiling by the kitchen that I had meant to use but never got around to doing it. I guess the excuse was that I have always been waiting for a part - "that part of me that wanted to do it" (I stole that expression from somewhere).

Well, this is it, but one hook at a time.  Commercial orchids come with a base, usually plastic with drain holes enclosed by a non-draining exterior display container.  I drilled three equidistant holes at the rim; carefully, because this one here is made of ceramics. Through those holes three "ears" will be attached for the hanging strings.  Why not just tie the strings directly to the holes?  This is a woodworking blog, plus the extra work is more fun 😊The container has a conical slant of 9 degrees, so one side of the "ears" must be cut to a 9 degree angle.

One screw from inside and an epoxy with instant hardener sprayed on makes for a secure and permanent attachment.  Instead of using nylon fishing lines, I used nylon strands used on blinds.  They're a lot easier to manipulate and they are just as strong.

Clear 1/4 inch plexiglass rods will make up the rest of the support all the way up to the hook. They are so transparent that they are barely visible on top of the table below.  There are three of them there to the left of the measuring tape. The clear rods will make the planter seem like floating in mid air.

The hanging strands are tied into a spring hook.  Available at fishing supplies.

The clear rods only come in 24 inch lengths.  Shown above I drilled a 1/4 inch hole into a dowel, later cut to the desired length, below.

Using epoxy and hardener, two rods are joined together.

At one end capped by another dowel rod allows for an eye screw and connector for the hook at the ceiling.

One down, one more to go.  But I think I will do it a little differently.  Another project coming up.  Hopefully, this orchid will recognize the effort and return the favor by surviving and re-blooming at some future time.