Vanda Miss Joaquim care

[Geraldq]

Hi all

I am new here and new to gardening, so pardon me if I should post this somewhere else.

I bought a young Vanda Miss Joaquim in March this year. It has nit been doing well. 2 months ago, I found that it was attacked by spider mites. Looking at the burnt marks, it appears the investation happened for quite a while before I discovered.

Now, even though I have gotten rid of the spider mites, the burnt marks still remain and the leaves look very wrinkled.

I used charcoal as potting medium and water twice a day. I put it at a windy spot with mostly indirect sunlight.

What have I done wrong? Please advise. Thank you.

[estación seca]

The leaf damage will remain, but new leaves should grow out fine.

How big is it? Most people recommend this plant be in full tropical sun, not shade. You probably see it in landscape plantings. I've read it is the national flower of Singapore.

[Geraldq]

Originally Posted by estación seca

The leaf damage will remain, but new leaves should grow out fine.

How big is it? Most people recommend this plant be in full tropical sun, not shade. You probably see it in landscape plantings. I've read it is the national flower of Singapore.

Thanks for your reply.

It is about 8 inches tall. I placed it in a sunnier spot initially, but when I see the leaves starting to wrinkle despite watering twice a day, I shifted it to bright spot without direct sun. I thought maybe it is young and still cannot take too strong sun. So, should I shift it back to the sunnier spot?

Yes, it is the National Flower of Singapore. I live in Singapore.

[Roberta]

If the plant looked like it was suffering in direct sun, then moving it to a shadier spot was the right thing to do. This is a young plant, so a little pampering is probably a good idea. You are at a more tropical latitude than North America, and so the unfiltered sun is more intense. Actually I knew a grower in southern California who grew this outside in a shady area and it bloomed like crazy... but it was also at least 2 m tall, maybe more. Plants can't read...

[estación seca]

It needs a lot of water.

[Geraldq]

So I guess I should continue with this current position and watering twice a day and wait for the new leaves to grow and see if they are healthier looking?

Thanks a lot for all the advice. Appreciate them very much.

[Ben_in_North_FLA]

vanda miss joaquim is a terete vanda (leaves are round, shaped like pencils)and requires full sun to thrive, high humidity and lots of water and food.
I have grown several clones of these free flowering vandas in full sub tropical sun in south florida. Picture would be helpful

[Geraldq]

Here is a photo taken in June, when I discovered the spidermite infestation. Marks still the same, but leaves are more wrinkled now.

[Ben_in_North_FLA]

are you growing it indoor?

[Geraldq]

Originally Posted by Ben_in_North_FLA

are you growing it indoor?

Yes, I live in high rise block. This spot is by the opening that receives 1-2 hr of direct afternoon sun. But I tucked it to the corner now so it is not in any direct sun at the moment.

I have another spot for it that has 3-4 hours of afternoon sun though. So if necessary, I can shift it there.