any advice would be grewatly appreciated. i would like to do it economically.....therefore i would have more money to buy more bromeliads! LOL

Weld mesh comes in many forms/sizes and is widely used as general fencing. The term u used "cattle fence panels" suggests this fencing maybe overkill being more expensive and much more stronger to hold cattle as opposed to just potted plants.
Best of luck and let me know what you end up building.
Matt

Plantaholic
Yes those fencing panels look exactly the same.
I've been looking for the same grade weld mesh as used in the Peters Glen shade houses. http://www.petersglenshadehouses.com/
I've been quoted roughly $60 AUS for panels 3m x 600mm which is too expensive.
Rick and I are on the hunt atm for old fencing panels 3m x 1200mm or simular which can then be cut in half for two shelves. These sell 2nd hand for between $15-35ea.

Sunshine_qld and Jack
Thanks for the info guys. I hadn't considered the fact that the smaller sizes pots would be unstable. Sunshine_qld are you able to post a pic or give us more information about your solution?

Cheers Matt

Best thing is he uses the smallest possible meshing available; approx 1" square, so pots are as stable as they can be.

He has made me about 10 of them now, varying sizes but basic same principle; Either a flat table like bench, or a 2 x tiered bench.

eg:

Great benches - I'm envious! That small mesh looks perfect. For years I've been using the light-gauge 1 inch square mesh you get in rolls for bird cages etc. Started off using it to hold 50mm tubes for orchids - couldn't find anything else that size years ago. It is relatively cheap and easy to work, but it needs supports every 20cm or so. That stuff you are using looks much heavier and nice and rigid. Hmmm, sets me thinking ...
Cheers, Paul

sunshine_qld
Look forward to seeing your pictures.

Xuan

I'd like to congratulate you on such a neat and tidy collection, and so well presented!

Oh how I wish my collection looked as tidy, and with good spacing between plants as well.

Thanks for sharing, all the best, Nev.

Thanks for the idea! Me too need to fabricate a display table to replace overturned pots which I have been using to prop up all my broms. I think I will use pvc grids instead since they are easily available here.

Picture of a bench at a local nursery with the said pvc grid

We have another square honeycomb version. Will take a picture tomorrow.

The completed stand though I would prefer it to be higher.

Thanks for sharing your wonderful display of colour with us, it's really mouth-watering.

All the best, Nev.

Lyndi: ooohhhhh that's a fabulous collection of neos! They look so happy so healthy!

Xuan

sunshine_qld congrats on the new arrival and lucky you having a handy hubby. Certainly if you have access to old materials and a welder its amazing what you can build.

lyndi you have some gorgeous broms and those interlocking grids are perfect. I might keep hunting for them over here in Aus. Was there a particular name used when you purchased them?

Cheers Matt

Sorry for the late reply. There is no trade name for these grids. I couldn't find any logo or trademarks on them either. I only know they are customised design and imported from Thailand and I pay @$5.00 SGD for them. I am able to find another type which does not have the interlocking feature for @$3.50 from another nursery.
It might help if you check with Australian nurseries which import plants from Thailand, perhaps nurseries carrying plumerias, adeniums or bougainvilleas. Good luck!

I guess you can use any suitable materials. I have to further secure the panels together with wire ties even though they come with interlocking. Another place you can look for such materials is the pond supplies shops.

*Thanks to everyone for your compliments on my plants and setup!