Taking care of Vandas in NYC apartment

[Shadow]

Originally Posted by daemondamian

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

Yes, big beautiful GH packed with Vandas

[cambridgestephen]

You can hang the odd wet towel on a radiator and mist a bit, I grow my vandas on top of a radiator

[Judi]

I had the same issue in the winter--didn't realize how bad until I started having problems and purchased a hydro-thermometer! So after a lot of internet research I purchased a moderately priced hot mist humidifier. We have hard water, and cool mist and ultrnosonic were out of the question. I wasn't willing to put up with the water hardness powder al over my living room, and I'm certainly not willing to pay a fortune for filters and cartriges. I only run the humidifier when the necessary, probably not longer than 8 hrs on the bone dry days. I luckily havn't had a humidity problem in my house--maybe because I only use the humidifier in the living room where my chids are. I think my husband and I are also much better off with a healthier humidity level--at least we feel that way. There has been some discussion on OB about vase culture for vandas--you might consider that. I am seriously considering trying it. I've always been afraid of trying to grow vandas because I can't mist several times a day, but the vase culture is most inticing

[bdelfiero]

Originally Posted by Greenorchid

I grow two Vandas in my apartment. I bought an humidifier, but after a week, i turned it off , 'cause the walls of the room were being covered of mildew! Therefore, from then, I spray with water (sorry, i don't know the exact word) my Vanda at least three times a day, and they are happy, one are quite in spike now! The temperature in winter never goes under the 20 centigrade degrees, in summer I put it outside(fortunately I live in a humid place) and every day it takes a bath in 10 liters of water and fertilizer

Hi Greenorchid..I would like to ask you if you are using fertilizer to your Vanda everyday?

[cambridgestephen]

I can get away with leaving mine for over a week in summer with no ill effects as they are in/on bark, but yes having a humidity meter is essential as if it drops below 40% I think they will suffer, but my house seems to usually manage 45-60% without much work, just mist the radiators when they are hot usually does the trick,
S

[SFC]

I am by no means an expert but I bought my first vanda this winter and I had it hanging bare root, which made it difficult to water and keep moist enough. So I have it in a vase now, and it seems to be doing quite well.

I soak it for about 15 min every other day and mist the roots on the days I don't water. It just started putting out a couple new roots and a new leaf a couple weeks ago!
Maybe you should give vase culture try, just my

Sarah