I have found these rather long, say 12 feet or so Bamboo poles at the Jungle in Culver City and an Asian nursery near my home. They are about 3-4 inches at the fat end and maybe 2-1/2" at the small end. I use the big end for the top part that connects to the plant. Also needed is some 1" Bamboo that can be found at the same places. Make an angled cut about 3" long in the 1" poles so that one end is very small and the other is just about half way through. Cut off from long pole. Then make the outside(round part) a bit flat so the extensions can sit flat on them. You'll need two of these. See the drawing for a better explanation. Glue the two angled cut pieces to the top of the large pole on either side. Wrap with tape. Cut two pieces of the 1" pole about 12" long. Make an angled cut on the bottom of the two pieces so they fit nicely against the small angled pieces you glued to the big pole and the big pole. Glue one on the pole and tape it to the pole so you don't have to hold or clamp it. Do the same to the other side. Now take some tape, electrical, duct, masking, whatever you have, and wrap the extensions to the pole as tightly as possible. Now simply wrap some natural rope around the whole deal making sure to cover all the unsightly tape. I'm sure someone will come up with something easier that also looks nice so please let me know when you do so I don't have to make these darn things!
