VASES FOR VANDAS? SHOPPING AND SUCCESSES SOUGHT

[jmforan]

I Read a great post describing using vases for growing vandas. My Ascocendas (photo is Ascda. Chritine Ang Tliwai) have not bloomed in two years but look very good, grown in high light (~4500 fc) and humidity in gh facing southwest and get fed weekly. So maybe the vase culture technique is an advantage through a humid "micro-environment". So are other people having success with this technique and where do you purchase vases? I was thinking Cost plus or similar. My baskets are 2, 3 and 4 inches. Thanks.

JMF

[Rosiefuture]

Hi JMF, welcome to OB

I read that thread too. I have a large Vanda that I've had for about 8 years that has never flowered. Poor old thing just struggles along. Anyway after reading about the vase culture I decided to give it a go. It's been about a month and the plant is starting to look better. I used a big Moccona coffee jar, do you have them over there, they are storage jars with a glass lid with a rubber bung attached?

I cut the bottom out of a squat plant pot that would fit snuggly into the mouth of the jar. I put some coir fibre into the bottom of the jar with about an inch of water. I pushed my Vanda's roots through the pot and down into the jar. The pot sits just inside the mouth of the jar, the roots extended down into the jar to just above the coir. I pushed some more coir into the pot around the top of the roots. I spray the aerial roots every day and the water drips down into the jar over the roots. The water at the bottom of the jar keeps the roots in a humid environment. Once a week I water all my orchids. I fill the jar up with weak fertilizer solution and allow the roots to soak for about 10 minutes. Then I pour it out all but that 1inch at the bottom.

Here is a pic of the set up (dogs posing in the background!)

[CTB]

Good idea Thanks for sharing!

[jmforan]

Rosiefuture: Thanks for the cool adaptation. I found these plastic containers at Smart and Final. Company name is "First Street" storage containers, about $3.99. They come in 4 and 3 inch openings, great for plastic pots. Your idea of adding some media to the jar is interesting. I might experiment - some with and some without. I hope you have great luck with your plant - 8 years!

JMF