Taking care of Vandas in NYC apartment

[Charles]

I grew a vanda in a west window in Fl. I put it in a wood basket and added bark. I filled the "nooks" between the roots and the basket by hand. I did not just pour it in, but this gave my plant the ability to grow roots in or out of the medium. Inside is dry. A/C makes it cool and dry and heat makes it hot and dry. This plant has thrived, but never bloomed as my lighting conditions were not sufficient. It now lives outdoors in the GH. I'll be a proud daddy when it blooms, so stay tuned.
Point is, misting is great, but moisture is the key. Think nature. What does this species do for itself in nature? Aerial roots and (for lack of an actual orchid term) tap roots for moisture. Baby it until it is able to make it's own decisions. But don't leave it soaked and rotting.

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[Ironwood]

Another good feature of Ascocenda Princess Mikasa is it's small house plant size. The biggest thing with mine now is the root system.

[Shadow]

Originally Posted by Ironwood

Another good feature of Ascocenda Princess Mikasa is it's small house plant size. The biggest thing with mine now is the root system.

Yes, it is not huge. But I have problems to fit in even extra phalaenopsis. Growing area is packed.

[Ironwood]

Shadow you will have to stat in third dimension, ----UP.

[Tindomul]

oops! Well I ment Vanda type. Thanks for the info Shadow!!! Makes me drool even more to know its an easy one.

[daemondamian]

Originally Posted by Ironwood

Tindo this just occurred to me you are looking for a blue orchid and a vandacious orchid, (don't know why it took so long). This would be my recommendation to you, Ascocenda Princess Mikasa 'blue variety' based on my experience over past year of growing mine in less than ideal conditions.

This is my Ascocenda Princess Mikasa 'Mood Indigo' that I received exactly a year ago today. The first picture is last year and second picture is this year. It bloomed in the summer and blooms lasted about 6 weeks and bloomed again in winter and blooms lasted about 10 weeks. It is in double spike again as I write this.

That is some good growing there Ken! Roughly how big is the plant, in width and from top to bottom [of roots]? I want a vandaceous orchid that fits in a viv

[Shadow]

Originally Posted by daemondamian

That is some good growing there Ken! Roughly how big is the plant, in width and from top to bottom [of roots]? I want a vandaceous orchid that fits in a viv

May be you want a viv that is big enough for vanda, or even few vandas.... ?

[Ironwood]

Right now from bottom of pot plant is 16 in. high, from top of plant to tip of roots would be 24 in. The spread of the leaves is 15 in and spread of the roots is 18 in. The spread of the roots is about 9 in. from plant in all directions but they are flexible and could be trained.

[daemondamian]

Originally Posted by Ironwood

Right now from bottom of pot plant is 16 in. high, from top of plant to tip of roots would be 24 in. The spread of the leaves is 15 in and spread of the roots is 18 in. The spread of the roots is about 9 in. from plant in all directions but they are flexible and could be trained.

Thanks for the dimensions Ken!

[daemondamian]

Originally Posted by Shadow

May be you want a viv that is big enough for vanda, or even few vandas.... ?

Yes but then I think that would be called a greenhouse don't you?