Is this a vanda? - Orchid Board

Rosiefuture · #1 03-24-2007, 05:46 AM

Hi, I'm new here so I thought I'd jump in and ask if this orchid is a vanda. I have had it probably 4 years or more and it has never flowered. It is a big sturdy plant and the leaves are very thick and leathery. I read somewhere that vanda's are difficult to get to flower, please could anyone tell me what they like and don't like? I'm in Western Australia and it's the start of our autumn now.

Thanks Marion

Toddybear · #2 03-24-2007, 10:05 AM

Doesn't quite look Vanda-ish to me..perhaps a Renanthera? I don't grow this group, but my understanding is they need lots of light. Yours certainly looks helathy enough.

Gin · #3 03-24-2007, 10:38 AM

I agree with Todd, looks almost but not quite a Vanda .
Can you tell us how often you are watering and feeding it ,the color looks good .
Vandas are not hard to bloom they like warm and to be fed . Also a fair amount of sun . But yours does not look quite like a Vanda so this may not apply to it . Welcome to the forum .... Gin

cneos · #4 03-24-2007, 11:19 AM

Looks like a strap-leaf vanda to me. Twisting of the fan suggests that it hasn't been getting enough bright, even light.
I grow my vandas bare root in baskets (or on wires) - it wouldn't hurt your plant to remove it from the pot, clean off any dead roots and grow it bare root.
You'll often hear from me that "Vandas are like mermaids - they like the sun in their face, the wind in their hair, and gentle waves lapping their fins." Translated this means 12 - 16 hours of sunlight; consistent air movement; high humidity and watering. We grow our vandas in our NH greenhouse where we have an HPS lamp to extend daylight; several fans moving air all the time; a fogger that keeps humidity at 80 - 85%; in winter, water daily in morning of on sunny days; in summer, water two or three times in morning to mid-afternoon on hot sunny days.
Vandae are not hard to bloom when they have the right culture.
David Grove's book on Vanda is an excellent resource.

Rosiefuture · #5 03-25-2007, 03:17 AM

Thanks folks, it's watered about 3 - 4 times a week at the moment and I don't think it's been fertilized for a very long time.

As I explained in another thread I started, I was very bad with my orchids but due to a MAJOR life change I am in a much better place and want to care for them properly. I have a great deal to learn.

I will take it out of the pot but what do I anchor it in the basket with? Do I put sphagnum moss in it?

I am glad I found this forum because I have a lot to learn and a lot to ask.

Marion

Rosiefuture · #6 03-25-2007, 03:19 AM

Oh and I'll move it into a brighter position.

Rosiefuture · #7 03-25-2007, 05:40 AM

Ok, it is now sitting wired into a wire hanging basket with a coir mat liner. The roots all looked extremely healthy when I took it out of the pot and hardly had to cut anything away. It is a very strong and sturdy plant. I sprinkled a small handfull of wood chips around the roots but didn't cover them. Then I gave it a drink with orchid bloom booster in. It's now hanging in a brighter and more airy place. I will keep you posted how it goes. When and if it blooms I will definitely post pics.

Marion

cb977 · #8 03-25-2007, 09:18 AM

Hi Marion...nice looking plant. I'm not sure of exactly what it is but it does seem to be in the Vandaceous family. What it takes to keep them happy is high light and water, water, water

The reason they do better hanging and not potted is that they like their roots drecnhed then quickly dried before getting drenched again.
In growing Vandas, TIME is a major part of your growing conditions...but it's SO worth it!

Rosiefuture · #9 03-25-2007, 09:56 AM

I looked on the net and I agree that I think it is a strap vanda. Most of the pics on there are of the flowers but the few I saw of the leaves are the same as this with that little dimple at the end of each leaf. The strap vanda's have such lovely flowers so I hope it is and I hope I can get it to flower and thrive. Marion

cneos · #10 03-25-2007, 11:08 AM

I've never used coir mat liner on my vanda baskets preferring to train (let) the roots hang through the slats in the basket. I use plastic cable ties to anchor the base of the plant to the basket and as needed on the fan; occasionally, I'll use a few wine corks or chunks of charcoal or lava rock to guide the plant into a natural upright position. Eventually, roots anchor themselves to the basket.
As long as your new potting technique allows for good air movement and drains (while retaining humidity), you should be ok. Just be cautious about any 'salts' that may build up on the coir.
Will look forward to seeing your results. Vandae are beauties!