I bought a birdcage and several succulents with the intention of making something like this. I'm uncertain what to use as a planting medium. Obviously soil isn't the answer as it would flow right through the bars. Any ideas? Also, most of the plants I bought have babies. If I want to use those, do I need to let the stem form a scab before planting? I've also read that I need to use a rooting hormone. I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who has done something similar.

Thanks!!

Maybe they used alternating layer of moss, succulent soil and moss again to help hold down the soil media and plants.

With succulents, allow the cuttings to scab over and then you can insert it into the media or lay it on top of the media, and it should root provided temps are warm enough. I don't really use rooting hormone for succulents.

:iagree:
Also bbe aware that the ones on the bottom should be ones that are the least water- rot-sensitive because water + gravity means they'll sit in the most moisture. Eg don't put Pachyphytum on the lowest layer.

I plant wire armatures and you can go to the dollar store or walmart, and get coir liners for wire pots.

Line your wire with the liners and fill with your cactus/succulent soil
You only have to poke holes in the coir to push your plants into the soil

This project you are planting outside to inside. Which is you are pushing the plants in to the soil from the outside of your wire into the soil inside.

I just find a lightweight pot or two that will fit inside the birdcage and plant in that. I have a large bird cage that is begging me to put some plants in it. Fortunately, the bottom slides out but I think I'll need someone to hold part of the cage while I get the plant on the bottom tray.
This is the bird house -- it's on my to-do list this week - to get it planted.

Lovely cage Elfie! Will look forward to your photo updates!!

orchidgal said:I just find a lightweight pot or two that will fit inside the birdcage and plant in that. I have a large bird cage that is begging me to put some plants in it. Fortunately, the bottom slides out but I think I'll need someone to hold part of the cage while I get the plant on the bottom tray.
This is the bird house -- it's on my to-do list this week - to get it planted.

That is a Beautiful birdcage. I have a large bird and his cage is like that if he dies before I do it will become a planter. But.......I doubt I will out live him because they live 100 of years and because I care for him so well I am sure he will be here to plant a flower garden on my grave.

If you want plants inside the cage light weight pots will work but if you want the plants handing and viewed outside the bars you have to plant them outside the bars with the roots inside the cage. The only way you can get the plant outside the leaves are to big to push through the bars. Purple does a good job of putting holes in pots and planting around the outside of the pots. I guess you could poke holes in the pots and push them through the plastic pots. I just like the coir when doing wire armatures. It is easier for me to push the plants in where I want them.