What's the benefit of using Spanish moss(Tillandsia usneoides) in vanda pots.

[Russell7]

This is my first post here, sorry if this is posted on wrong the section. I've had this doubt for some time now ''Is there benefit of using Spanish moss(Tillandsia usneoides) in vanda pots( on roots )''. I've seen this used on vandas but I have never seen vandas and Tillandsia usneoides growing together in habitat. And could a lot of Spanish moss on vanda roots reduce airflow and suffocate the plant. I have 3 species vanda tessellata varieties(variations) and I water them every day . They are growing on a slab or Styrofoam coated with concrete. I was planning to use Spanish moss so I don't want to water them every day. Any advice would be really helpful.

And will a vanda orchid branch off it the main stem exposed to bright light or is this another myth I read off the internet.

[Roberta]

First, welcome!

When Vandas are grown bare-root, they are fine if they get the conditions of their habitat - high humidity, frequent rain. When grown in cultivation in homes (or even greenhouses) the Tillandsia usenoides is added to try to keep the local (right around the roots) humidity up. Does it work? Maybe a little... those of us in drier climates do whatever we can to grow the orchids we love... sometimes we can find a compromise between what the orchids will tolerate and what we can provide... sometimes we fall short. You probably have the high humidity. I doubt that the Tillandsia will substitute very well for that daily watering... it might help a little.

Perhaps someone else on the Forum can answer your question about encouraging Vanda branching. It doesn't quite sound valid to me... unless the bright light just makes them grow better, a plant with all of its requirements met will certainly be more "productive" than one that gets less than ideal conditions.

[Fairorchids]

Vandas won't branch due to external stimuli.

It is in the nature of Vandas to set basal keikis, but in most plants this is inhibite by a hormone that comes from the growth point at the top of the plant. Only when the plant is tall enough, so that the hormone no longer reaches the base, will the keikis start. For Vanda tricolor, this occurs when the plant is around 2-2.1/2 feet (60-75 cm) tall.

In a few plants, such as V. (Neofinetia) falcata, the hormone is so weak (or non-existant?), that they start setting keikis while still very short.

[Russell7]

Originally Posted by Roberta

First, welcome!

When Vandas are grown bare-root, they are fine if they get the conditions of their habitat - high humidity, frequent rain. When grown in cultivation in homes (or even greenhouses) the Tillandsia usenoides is added to try to keep the local (right around the roots) humidity up. Does it work? Maybe a little... those of us in drier climates do whatever we can to grow the orchids we love... sometimes we can find a compromise between what the orchids will tolerate and what we can provide... sometimes we fall short. You probably have the high humidity. I doubt that the Tillandsia will substitute very well for that daily watering... it might help a little.

Perhaps someone else on the Forum can answer your question about encouraging Vanda branching. It doesn't quite sound valid to me... unless the bright light just makes them grow better, a plant with all of its requirements met will certainly be more "productive" than one that gets less than ideal conditions.

Thanks Roberta

---------- Post added at 10:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:25 PM ----------

Thank you Roberta and Kim, it good to know something new always.