outdoor Vandas in S. California?

[lobotomizedgoat]

I picked up a couple Vandas recently (curvifolia & coerulea) with the intent to grow them outdoors. I've heard of others in my area doing so, but without may details. Has anyone here in the area, or in similar climes, had success with this? In particular, what is your watering regimen and do you take special action in dry or cold weather?

As for my climate: I'm just a few miles from the coast with no obstructing topography so the RH is generally above 50% during the day and climbs to 80-90%s at night (my average for the last month is 75.5%). There are occasional offshore winds that can lower the humidity to a 25-50% daily swing, but they usually only last a couple days. Winter lows average around 50 F (10 C) during the colder months. The coldest I measured last winter was 40 F (4.4 C).

Thanks!

[estación seca]

Win Winmaw lectured to our Society about Burma, and discussed V. coerulea. He lives in Huntington Beach. He said he brings his coeruleas into the greenhouse for the winter because it's too cold outside.

[camille1585]

Roberta would probably be able to advise, but she's away this week. If I remember I'll point her to this thread once she's back.

[Jeff214]

I probably live a bit more inland than you but I grow a couple of Vandas outdoors until the lows hit the low 50s. I forgot to bring them in this week and it did get some minor cold damage. Some of the ascocentrums (now a vanda) seem fine outdoors all winter.

[Hazeldazel]

I live in Northern California so I have the sun and heat but wonder about watering. How do you guys water yours?

[lobotomizedgoat]

Originally Posted by Hazeldazel

I live in Northern California so I have the sun and heat but wonder about watering. How do you guys water yours?

I've been soaking the roots for ~30 min every 3 or 4 days, and misting them a couple times per day. During dry spells I've soaked daily and misted more often.

Most of the roots on the curvifolia are a bit thicker and seem to be doing fine. The coerulea has much thinner roots and many of them have become a bit brittle and stopped turning as green when wet.

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[Roberta]

I haven't had long term success with coerulea, tricolor
(Suavis) seems to do better. Andy grows coerulea outside but sheltered just a bit. Roeblingiana and cristata pretty bulletproof. So odds for coerulea aren't perfect but not bad either. Be back on soon...