Friday, June 18, 2021

Hanging pie plate, V3.0

The debut version of my hanging vintage pie plate appeared in the garden back in 2016. Inspired by a trip to Lotusland, I put it together to highlight a few bromeliads. Here's what it looked like then...
I never really loved that creation, there were too many elements. The plants felt secondary to the hanging structure and that is never my goal. The next iteration was better, much better. Here it is shortly after I put it together, still in the basement, as it was too early in the season for these plants to go outside...

Eventually those large cryptanthus bloomed and died off (they did leave behind babies), and after two years the whole thing was looking a little sad. It was time for Version 3.0, a project I tackled late last winter, here it is hanging in the Metapanax delavayi...

You don't see it? Look a little to the back, behind the other smaller hanging ceramic pieces. Here's a close-up...

V3.0 is the jungle cactus version and it's full of Rhipsalis baccifera, schlumbergera...

...this zigzag guy whose name I can't remember...

...lots of moss to hide the soil...

...and Rhipsais houlletiana.

There are a couple bits of lepismium in there too, but I didn't get a good photo of them. It's bizarre, but I love it.

I've been on the lookout for another of these "evenslice" hexagonal pie plates (pie pan) as they really do make a great hanging dish planter, but I've not been successful in the hunt. 

Maybe someday I'll run across a couple more. For now I'm hoping the third time is the charm and this version will stick around for awhile and even bulk up.

(off topic but check out those rodgersia leaves underneath the hanging planter...wow!)

All material © 2009-2021 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

20 comments:

  1. AnonymousJune 18, 2021

    I like all three versions. I think, though, that the last one is my favorite. Really cool! You know what else makes a great metal hanging basket (I have two and am making two more) is the bottom portion of the metal housings from ceiling fans that no longer work. You can use hardware cloth or even an old thrift store pan lid to cover the opening at the bottom. They usually come with ample holes to easily secure your hanging chain or wire. I spray paint mine before potting them up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh! I want to see a photo of this! Please. Can you email me one?
      spiky plants at gmail dot com

      Delete
  2. AnonymousJune 18, 2021

    I'll try to take photos this weekend and send them to you. Laura

    ReplyDelete
  3. I too like all 3 versions. I agree that the orange wire supports may have detracted attention from the original plants but the mix was still attractive. Best wishes with your pie plant hunt.

    ReplyDelete
  4. The plant you were not sure of the name is: common name: ric rac or fishbone cactus. Latin is either: Epiphyllum anguliger (normally white flowers) or sometimes Selenicerius anthonyanus (normally bicolor red and white flowers).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Nancy. No flowers on mine yet...

      Delete
  5. After 5 weeks out of the country and away from a computer (!), I'm all caught up with your blog. I consider commenting on all the posts I've missed, but that would be too obsessive ;-D
    I thought your decision not to post every weekday was the worst (although not totally unexpected), but reading about your ankle took the cake, you poor thing. I wish you successful surgery and quick, not too painful recovery. August isn't that far off.
    I've loved all your hanging creations and lid groupings; always a source of inspiration and awe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your absence had me thinking you must be traveling again. It was more than a little coincidental that I decided to pull back on posting, and then had a big ole obstacle put in my path (the ankle), and just as things were starting to open up again for me in terms of travel. But you're right. August will come and hopefully the weather will cooperate and the garden will be a good place to be and I can get out an about again! Hope you are well...

      Delete
  6. Hey there ;-) I actually really liked your first version too because it looked like a literal plant waterfall .. yes it might have distracted from the other plants but that affect was amazing ! all versions are very interesting.
    I have to say these plants make me think they are from an alien world they are so unusual to me .. different kind of eye candy ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In all honesty I shared a cropped photo of V.1, the way the three orange hooks came together was horrid, not graceful at all. I couldn't bear to share a full shot. Click through and you will see.

      Delete
  7. Very creative. Have never seen a hexagonal pie plate. We have a store called Home Treasures where people bring in things they don't need. Have found so many cool things to put plants in from there. Like your idea of using the pie plate so will keep a look out for some.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh gosh... I'd be haunting Home Treasures!

      Delete
  8. Thank goodness you keep track of the names of rhipsalis! I saw some enormous specimens at an OC nursery yesterday in cool metal hanging bowls and thought of you -- but none for sale! Yours are looking splendid!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I have a few rhipsalis that I can't ID, I'm not that good. NFS plants are always so drool-worthy...

      Delete
  9. cid:D46D68FF-3084-464B-9667-552FA2962025

    Check out EBay ~~ there are 3 pie plates listed

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment. Comment moderation is on (because you know: spam), I will approve and post your comment as soon as possible!