Saving Grandad's Orchids

[D-D-]

Hi, Just two comments. Under artificial light conditions UV always benefits both plant and most animals (including human). Ref the digital photo colour. They are Wonderful! the one I use mostly will do 95percent of the functions of a darkroom right inside the camera. Including changing those blues to any shade of purple. Then outside the camera those files can be manipulated it ways totally impossible with film. D-D-

[quiltingwacko]

Hi Poppy! Welcome to the board! Did anyone warn you that orchids are addictive? I only have one Vanda. I fell in love with the lovely blue purple blooms and bought it the minute I saw it at a local orchid show in Oregon, USA. It is planted in coconut husk in a tree fern pot. Both are famous for draining well. I have had it almost a year and it has bloomed twice for me. It is in a eastern window. Vanda Coepulea X Ascda Blue Sky is what it says on the tag. I think. It is difficult to read. Anyway, have fun with your orchids. I bet you will do fine with your Vanda. Carol

[poppy86orchids]

The Vanda was originally for my father, but he thought it would actually be blue! But I anyway, its been passed around and is now with me, poor thing!
It's too cold over here to have it outside... if I had an outdoor conservatory, I could have the coconut husk ... would work quite well. Instead, as I need it in a pot (although I make sure there is no water in the pot), I have turned a mesh pot upside down inside a much larger pot, and placed the vanda on that. Hope it works.

[poppy86orchids]

I suddenly recalled where I had heard the Vanda Blue Magic was brought. On looking at their website, they sell these (please see pic) to hang Vanda's.


What do you think? Also, after the roots have dried (after their daily 15/20 min soak in water), would putting in on top of a vase, letting the roots go into the vase help? Or shall I leave it as it is and get some Sphagnum Moss to put over the roots?

[rogerman]

Thats actually one way of growing Vandas here..... You'll find big ones and ones that are more for decorative purposes being put in those baskets.

[frostedeyes]

find a piece of tree branch and tie it there. you can even put some moss... definitely your vanda will grow new roots and quicky will get attach on the wood itself. try using rooting hormone. i use it daily i guess i dont have problems using them half a teaspoon in 5L of water. and mist the roots 3-4 times depends on your area... i live on the warmer side so i have to mist it daily. Pots is ok... as long as it has holes

[frostedeyes]

and dont disturb ur vanda... hes on a DND do not disturb mode!

[Ray]

Originally Posted by D-D-

Hi, Under artificial light conditions UV always benefits both plant and most animals (including human).

Really? It was my understanding that UV was pretty much inconsequential to plants.

[poppy86orchids]

I apologise for the quality, I'm no photographer. I took these quickly to show the set up I did today (I do need to get a smaller basket though!)

I tried my best to show you the roots, leaves etc.

Is the UV lamp too close though? I don't really know how far away a 300Watt UV should be?
I haven't trimmed or cut any roots. I made holes bigger at bottom of basket and eased the roots through after soaking them.

Hopefully the heat from the lamp and the 5-10cm of water at the bottom of vase will help the humidity. As you can probably see, it's not very light outside at all today, and its very very cold.

I hope I doing this right!

[poppy86orchids]

Here are the rest of the photos