Growing Vandas at Home

Vanda_lover, where do you get charcoal? If you don't mind me asking.
Thank you.

[Vanda lover]

Originally Posted by orchideya

Vanda_lover, where do you get charcoal? If you don't mind me asking.
Thank you.

My brother pointed out to me that if you buy lump charcoal for barbeques, that it is just charcoal with nothing added. I have also got some from the fire pit in our yard, and if you know someone with a fireplace, that would do too.

Originally Posted by Vanda lover

My brother pointed out to me that if you buy lump charcoal for barbeques, that it is just charcoal with nothing added. I have also got some from the fire pit in our yard, and if you know someone with a fireplace, that would do too.

Wow, thank you. I always looked for it in the soil and potting mixture departments and never thought to look where it actually belongs

[Vanda lover]

You're welcome! I have bought charcoal at orchid shows, but they only sell the small stuff. When you need it for a vanda, it has to be big chunks to stay in the basket.

[kavanaru]

My experience: I had a very nice Vanda Hybrids, growing under lights, and all what I thought were perfect conditions.. in 4 years, I never managed to get it to bloom... My cleaning lady took it with her, and put it on a windowsill in her kitchen (to the south!) where she waterd the plants in a glass vase 3 times per week... that S... plants blooms year for her, with always two spikes...
Summary: yes, you can grow and bloom Vandas on windowsill...

[Vanda lover]

The particular hybrid is important. You can get ones that do well in cooler climates. I was told that mine has a little Rhynchostylis in it, that helps it bloom often. Of coarse, the ascos and vascos will bloom easier in a little lower light.

[kavanaru]

Vanda Blue Magic was it..

[Vanda lover]

That one sounds as if it would have vanda coerulea in it, which should make it a cooler growing type.
Odd that it wouldn't bloom for you, but at least your cleaning lady is enjoying it.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

What kind(s) of Vanda hybrid(s) did you get?

Different breeding, different temperature tolerances...

If you got species...

Which Vanda species did you get?

Different species, different light and temperature tolerances.

I highly recommend doing a Google Image search on what Vandas look like growing in the wild. (Hint: These pics are fairly difficult to find.)