How much light for Vanda Pachara Delight?

[Tori]

Im not sure how much light is enough or too much for my Vanda. I live in south Florida and have a balcony with western view? Any tips? Also, bloomed a week ago and flowers never fully plumped up. What did I do wrong? Help if you can, Im a total newbie but want to learn!!! Thanks! TORi

[CTB]

Why don't you join our social group, Florida Orchid Lovers. I have a Pachara Delight, it is in full sun in the morning till just about noon, and that is pretty hot, then shade all afternoon, in a greenhouse, I water once a day. Fert. once a week. My Vandas seemed to really like that spot. I have one spiking now.

[RosieC]

Welcome to Orchid Board Tori

I have mine in full sun in the morning, but I don't live anywhere near you so conditions will be quite different.

I'm still new to Vanda's so can't really advice further.

[trdyl]

Tori, Welcome to OB!

[orchidsamore]

I experimented once on how much they could really take and placed one in full sun all day in a pasture in July-August.

The plant grew and flowered well but the leaves became very yellow (did not need much chlorophyll) and poor looking. So while the plant can take the full all day sun it is better to avoid 1-4:00 afternoon sun. After all I want to be sheltered from that bad sun myself.

[CaptFrank]

I live in Bonita Springs and have 24 Vandas & Ascdas. They are hung in the lanai S by SW with overhead 50% screen. Two are Pacharas with one in bloom now along with 4 others. I water every AM and fert. once per wk. I recommend you get Martin Motes book "Florida Orchid Growing Month by Month"

[CTB]

Please join our Florida Orchid Lovers social group, Orchidsamore and the Captain.

[Swamper]

Motes has a new book called Florida Vanda Growing Month by Month which is also pretty good. Sounds like you got good advice already. Give it as much sun as possible except that high noon sun, which lasts till about 4. Welcome to the OB. That is/will be a beautiful vanda BTW. Enjoy. SHow us your pics please.

[orkie]

I am in the Northeast, so I have very different conditions than you, but I have a V. Pachara Delight in bloom for the first time this year (I've had it 3 years) with 2 spikes and all flowers opened fully and are huge.

In my conditions, it is in a Western window during the cooler months with no shade of any sort, nothing blocking the window. Once it's warm enough, I grow it on my fire escape, again in western light but with a 50% screen blocking constant direct light in the late afternoon. I have managed to burn leaves in the past on this plant though, so it may be getting a bit much at times (although I haven't burned it now in about 2 years).

When inside, I soak mine in the sink or shower for 10-60 minutes ~4 times a week. I fertilize every other watering. Outside, I make a slow release fert packet that I wire to its basket (bareroot with a few chunks of coconut fiber in it). I use coffee filters to make the fert packs. I like to just let the rain take care of it, but usually have to water it at least 2 times a week, since we haven't been getting much rain. Now that it has finally flowered (and once I saw the spikes), it gets soaked almost daily and is inside for maximum flower enjoyment. I think a lot of H2O is important for getting the most out of flowers.

I don't know if any of this helps in FL, but it gives an idea of how I take care of this plant (it's my very favorite orchid!).

[CTB]

Can you post any pics? Would love to see it!