DIY Epiphytes Hanging Planter Box...

You may well be asking - what is an epiphyte?
An epiphyte is:
a plant which grows harmlessly on another (usually a tree).
It derives moisture from the air, rain, and the debris that collects around it. They do not grow in soil.
The epiphyte family of plants includes many species of orchids, bromeliads, tillandsias, mosses and ferns.

To make a DIY epiphytes hanging planter box you will need:
a wooden box - an old drawer or a box made from pallet wood.
I used an old wooden drawer with the handle removed.
 First step:  dry brush the box with white paint for a wonderful shabby look..


 Once paint is dry add a plastic liner.
Staple in place and trim.
Add a wire hanger to the top.


Add a thick layer of coconut fibre. 
Arabella decided she must help! 
By investigating her new cat bed...

Sorry sweetness but that box is not for you!
 Add a layer of sphagnum moss.


Staple a covering of wire mesh. 
 Use wire cutters to make slits where you want your plants.
At the top I wired in place some spanish moss.
The second plant is Tillandsia aeranthos.


The plant on the wood is Dendrobium Tamara.
The yellow flowering orchid is Oncidium flexuosum.


The DIY Epiphytes Hanging Planter Box is on a covered deck with filtered sunlight with my other orchids in the collection, 
so Just a light misting is all the watering that will be needed.

All these plants were sourced from at 'Pottering About'.
For local blog followers - this specialty Garden Centre is in Military Road, Otakiri.

Don't worry if you can't visit in person, 
as they sell tropicals, subtropicals, orchids, bromeliads, and other epiphytes via Trade Me New Zealand,
or visit their website here:
And while I'm telling you about "pottering About',
let me show you these...

 Wall or post mounted pot hangers called 'Leyland Latches'.
Brilliant idea, really affordable, and perfect for a mini orchid collection!


Just in case you are wondering...
this beauty is called:
Miltonia moreliana.







A DIY LOVE mini Pallet sign...


A DIY love mini pallet sign is a simple gift to make for Mother's Day.


Here's how to make it:

Cut a 34cm piece of pallet wood.
Paint it white and leave to dry.


 For the next stage you need a good length of cord.
(in a colour of your choice).

Use PVA wood glue to write your word on the wood.

Press black dressmakers cord in a continuous length 
onto the glue to create the word.

Then cleanup the excess glue with a cotton bud.


Talking about words, you can change it.
I've chosen LOVE,
but you could say:
FUN...JOY...LAUGH...or MUM.
(Just adapt your wood size to the word you choose)


Add a hanger using a staple gun.
I used the same black cord.
This gives you the option to wall hang your DIY mini pallet sign,
or as I ended up doing, 


just leaning it against the back of a bookcase.








Sunset LOVE...

As dusk fell the sky was on fire...
 The plants in my garden became silhouettes...
 Against the red and orange sky...
Nature's passion!

Sunset quote

Life is nothing without passion.
(a free inspirational quote for your moodboard)



#quote #quotes #sunsetquote
  




How Easy Is It To Make Peanut Butter?

In blog land everyone else is making peanut butter!
And everyone says it's EASY!
And ya all know EASY is my friend...
so I decided to test the theory.
Off I went to Bin Inn bulk store...
purchased my roasted salted peanuts.
Got out my food processor, added my peanuts,
 pulsed and smashed those peanuts into little pieces.
One blogger said - it takes 5 minutes to make smooth peanut butter!
Well....
my food processor is so powerful - 
I am glad it has suction cups to stick it to the bench.
It literally takes off!
Yip - it is a BEAST!
And after 6 minutes at top speed I had smashed peanuts,
that did not quite resemble peanut butter.
Processed for another 2 minutes - hmmm no change.
So I am thinking - 
maybe we dry roast all the oil out of our peanuts in New Zealand.
USA you must have wonderful oily peanuts!
So in went two tablespoons of oil.
Another 3 minutes of full speed processing and I had an in between kind of crunchy and smooth peanut butter.
By this stage the noise of the 'BEAST' was doing my head in,
 so after a taste test, I decided it was good enough.
It took 11 minutes but I won the homemade peanut butter battle.
It is delicious.
When compared to a natural store bought peanut butter
that is available in New Zealand (in the same quantities), 
it's actually no cheaper to make at home.
But at least I can tick it off the list, and say I've done it.   
;) 


  




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