Vanda orchids are traditionally grown in hanging cedar, redwood, or teak boxes without any planting medium. Their roots both grow through the slats in the box and attach to the box itself as they would to a tree were they growing in the wild.

Vanda boxes are not only a practical way of growing Vanda orchids but also an attractive cachepot for other orchids and plants.

Materials:

One box cedar closet lining planks (makes 3 to 6 boxes depending on size)
3 feet 6 gauge wire (wire should be straight, not coiled, available at craft stores)
Copper brads

Tools:

Table saw
Chop saw
Drill
Drill bit slightly larger than the gauge of the wire
Needle nose pliers
Wire cutters
Twine
Chain
Scissors

Directions:

1. Using table saw, cut the cedar planks into ¾ inch wide strips.

2. Based on desired size for box, cut the strips into equal lengths 1½-inches longer than the desired interior finished dimension of box, using chop saw.

3. Drill hole centered in each end of one cedar strip (3/8 inch in from sides and end of strip). Use that strip as jig for drilling matching holes in remaining cedar strips.

4. Lay 4 cedar strips in a square like a frame on work surface. Overlap strips of adjoining sides, matching up drilled holes. Create bottom of box by adding 2 or more strips (depending on size of finished box) equally spaced in the center of the square. Attach these center strips to side strips with copper brads. Do not attach the outer cedar strips with copper brads.

5. Cut four lengths of wire 3-inches longer than intended height of basket. Bend 90 degree angle ½ inch from end of wire. Slide unbent end of wires through holes in cedar strips, from the underside. Set structure onto your work surface with long wires pointing up.

6. Slide two cedar strips onto wires parallel to one another. Then place two at ninety degree angles to first set, as if building with Lincoln Logs. Repeat until you reach desired height for box.

7. Trim excess wire at top of box, leaving about 1 ½ inches protruding from top of each corner. Using needle nose pliers, carefully bend end of the wire that protrudes from the holes into a tight decorative coil that will serve as a place to attach chain or strings to hang box, if desired.

8 Hang box from four wire coils using chain or twine or use as a table top display box for orchids or other plants by lining it with sheet moss and placing pot inside moss to hide it.