Help with my first Vanda

[H.D]

estacion, thanks again.
I researched a bit and found a famous youtuber recommending even tying pouches of slow release fertilizers to vandas.
so I gathered that they indeed are very heavy feeders.

I do feel that I will pot the vanda up when the weather gets hot.

[Shadeflower]

I'll admit I am quite sparing and I did just re-read a care guide by Roy Tokunaga where he mentions something I had comepletely missed up till now.

He says that according to research Phalaenopsis and Cymbidiums need twice the Nitrogen that Cattleya's need.

So there certainly is more research to be done!

If it helps, bulblebee orchids on youtube worth checking out feeds her enormous windowsill orchids with 400 ppm TDS.

The orchid boon used at 2 grams per bucket should come to roughly 200-250 ppm TDS

So the max I would add is 4 grams per bucket of water which is much less than what is printed on the label.

But to start with always start with the lower amount, once you see new root growth you can start trying to increase the amount slightly depenidng on the growing season ( more in summer, less in winter)

[SADE2020]

Originally Posted by estación seca

When I began growing Vandas I found they hardly grow with the low amounts of fertilizer I use on other orchids. When I first read the amount recommended in the Motes book (1 Tablespoon/15ml of powder in a gallon / 3.8 liters) I was surprised, but it seemed to me reasonable to take the advice of somebody whose income comes from selling Vandas.

Since I began using the very large amounts recommended by Motes they began growing rapidly. I'm not the only person with this opinion here on Orchid Board:
http://www.orchidboard.com/community/962646-post14.html

Your summer temperatures with low humidity will be a challenge. You might need to water bare-root Vandas twice a day. You can raise the local humidity by growing other leafy plants nearby. Vandas can also be potted in very loose medium, which may decrease watering frequency.

ES, I actually use 10cc of 20+18+20 per gallon + amino acids, only with Vanda bear foot.

[Shadeflower]

Sade that to me is very strong also.

That could come out as 700-800 ppm I think.

I'm hoping more will share how much more they feed their Vanda's.

The problme I am seeing with this debate so far is that we are using flowering as the judge... Ok so I can't use that as a judge for my Vanda's, what I am using is leaf development and root development.

So I went to sleep thinking, ok the argument is that more fertilizer is increasing growth but I know from experience that a constant (not just once a week) watering with a ppm over 500 will eventually lead to salt burn on the root surface.

This is why I am so careful with nutrients, not because I am tight or anything. I mean my Akerne bucket of Nutrients will last 10 years. Admittedly if I use it twice as strong it will only last 5 years but that is not the reason lol. The reason I am so careful is not to burn roots.

I still have burnt roots in my collection. I was not exaggerating that burnt roots remain for a long time on Vanda's

See on a Cattleya it doesn't even matter that much if roots die after a year, Cattleya's are constantly producing new bulbs and new roots.

On a Vanda you have to maintain the roots far longer, a root a vanda produces should remain functional for 5 years.

So I am not disputing that such a high fertilizer concentration might cause increased growth. The plant has unlimited access to nutrients...

But if at the same time the root velamen gets fertilizer burns then it's absorption power will reduce over time and eventually the roots will not function properly anymore.

Hope that makes sense as I am crossing into the hypethetical. I feed so sparingly I reckon I have seen a few deficiencies for the first time this year but this is not a bad thing at all. At least to me it isn't
A deficiency tells me I am feeding exactly right (with a slight deficiency after summer) so this will help me decide next years feeding regime.

If one the other hand I had fed heavily, then I might have caused root burn which would also tell me how to adjust things for next year but by then it is too late and damage has been done.

So that is my perspective and I feed 6 times weaker.

Not just half strength. 6 times weaker... There is a bit of discrepancy there.

---------- Post added at 11:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:43 AM ----------


Found another video: this grower uses 2 grams per gallon, which works out as 4 grams per bucket.

She is wondering if she should increase (double) her fertilizer

I think the results at her (imo heavy feeding already) is giving good results on her Pachara Delight.

She says she waters every day so more water evaporates from the roots compared to someone who waters once a week.

It's excessive salts drying on the root surface I watch out for.

I will do more research but most growers seem to go for 2 grams per gallon of a 20-20-20 fertilizer it seems.

Vanda Orchid Care, How I Fertilize and get my Vanda Orchids to Rebloom - YouTube

[SADE2020]

Originally Posted by Shadeflower

Sade that to me is very strong also.

That could come out as 700-800 ppm I think.

I am sorry, the 10CC is something else, fertilizer is 1 teaspoon, as long as they going to be in the sun. More fertilizer, more sun, or vice-versa. Every 8 days and every 28 days Superthrive.

For Foliar growth 20-18-20 or 20-20-20
For Flower Bloom 12-48-8