Vanda & Family in basket help??

[Tikva]

I'm putting a Vanda and 2 related orchids into baskets - one 4" and 2 that are now "in" 2" pots with their roots all over the place. I plan to put the 4" potted one into a 6" basket and the other 2 into 4" baskets I think.
What should I have with them - to help them get established faster and keep humidity up.

[Ray]

I would think there would be no issue moving them to the larger sizes you suggested.

As to what medium to add - if any - it depends on your growing conditions and how often you can water.

In my greenhouse, I prefer coarse charcoal or even PrimeAgra (after adding some coconut husk fiber to keep it in the basket), or nothing at all. I even have a vanda hung from a wire, with no medium or basket at all (please excuse the lousy photo):

If you're growing indoors, you might consider CHC, but keep in mind that vandaceous roots like to drink often and dry quickly, especially if it gets cool at night, and like lots of air, so don't go with a particularly fine mix.

[Tikva]

I do grow indoors and it will be like -100% humidity in NH. My skin and nose suffer all winter long. Poor orchids. I'm going to use a humidifier for them.... and I guess distilled water (spoiled orchids)
The place I am ordering from has PrimeAgra and I'm getting some to do more s/h growing. I like the idea of using it for them tho....
I don't know what CHC is....
As always, thank you for helping!!

Ps. and Beautiful orchid!!

[Tindomul]

Don"t you mean 0% humidity???
Nice lookind Vanda Ray! Looks nice and full.

[Tikva]

No, I meant like negative 100%... less than zero. doesn't that work? lol

[Tindomul]

Oh, I didnt see the (-) sign.

[caroline]

Hi Ray,

You really have nice plants. I just wonder how the h... can this plant survive and even bloom without being in any kind of pot. Take a look at this picture of vanda. I have it in the bathroom so I don't forget to water but it has not been blooming for almost 5 years and I don't know how to repot it. Please help.

caroline

Originally Posted by Ray

I would think there would be no issue moving them to the larger sizes you suggested.

As to what medium to add - if any - it depends on your growing conditions and how often you can water.

In my greenhouse, I prefer coarse charcoal or even PrimeAgra (after adding some coconut husk fiber to keep it in the basket), or nothing at all. I even have a vanda hung from a wire, with no medium or basket at all (please excuse the lousy photo):

If you're growing indoors, you might consider CHC, but keep in mind that vandaceous roots like to drink often and dry quickly, especially if it gets cool at night, and like lots of air, so don't go with a particularly fine mix.

[ScottMcC]

it doesn't need a pot, it needs light. unless your bathroom has an unobstructed south window and the plant is plastered up against it, you're not giving it enough light. vandas need the most light of just about any orchid--some of them can even take direct sunlight (although not the one you pictured).

[littlefrog]

A little known fact, but all species of clay pot and teak basket are almost extinct in the rainforest... Our orchids seem to be coping just fine. Plastic pots are making a bit of a comeback, but only in the deforested areas.

[Phantasm]

Littlefrog- that was about as off the wall as you can get!