Many orchids lend themselves to growing in hanging baskets and these are available in many different shapes, sizes and materials. Orchids will actually grow in any sort of container as long as it has plenty of drainage holes. Wire or plastic baskets, as used in the garden, are good, but they can sometimes be a little open, letting compost wash out every time the plant is watered. To overcome this, place a layer of plastic netting in the base of the basket before the orchid is potted into it. Greenhouse shade netting is ideal as it will not break down easily. Plastic net pots are also very good, especially for smaller plants; aquatic plant baskets are perfect examples. Orchids such as gongoras produce a great many aerial roots, so a net pot will allow these to grow out into the air with ease. They also produce pendent flower spikes that hang over the side of the container or even grow downwards through the holes, so a hanging situation is essential. Coelogyne massangeana is another pendent bloomer, the spikes reaching up to 60 cm (24 in) in length, so it looks its best when the tresses of yellow flowers are allowed to hang below a basket.

Without a basket, stanhopeas would not be able to bloom properly. The flower spike is sent down through the compost and out of the side or the base of the basket. If there are no holes, the spike will eventually abort when it cannot find a way out. The most popular type of basket for stanhopeas and most other orchids is a wooden slatted basket. These are used extensively in the Far East for keeping vandas and other orchids where little or no compost is used around the roots. This will only work if there is a very high level of humidity and the plant will be able to take in all the moisture that it needs directly through its roots. If insufficient moisture is provided, the orchid will start to dehydrate. Therefore, in conditions that are not as humid as the tropics, it is better to add compost to the wooden baskets.

Transferring an orchid from a pot into a basket is no more difficult than simple repotting. Choose a basket large enough for the plant to be able to grow in it for at least two years, but take care not to overpot into too large a container. Many orchids suited to baskets -bulbophyllums for example – will remain in the same container for years as they love to grow over the sides and eventually completely envelop the whole thing if left alone. Line the inside of the basket with netting to prevent the compost being washed out, and pot as normal with a fairly open, coarse bark compost. There is good drainage in a basket, so there is no need to add drainage material to the base of the basket.

By using hanging baskets in your greenhouse or conservatory, you are making use of the whole space, right up to the roof. The orchids that you hang up should be those that enjoy the extra light they will receive in this situation nearer the roof. You may find that they also dry out more quickly due to the increased air flow around the root system, so make certain that the plants are getting enough water in warm weather.