Some kind of Vanda... - Orchid Board

thepurpleorange · #1 03-27-2011, 04:14 PM

Hi everyone, I'm so excited because a recently acquired Vanda is now in bloom. Its previous owner said that she had it for years and it refused to bloom. When I got it, it was in some dense potting material and not very well drained. I liberated it and fixed it to a post with its roots completely free. About a month later, it sent out a spike!!

Please help me to figure out what kind of Vanda this is! Also, I'm not sure what's wrong with it... This is the first day of bloom and some of the flower petals have a hole in it and it generally looks raggeddy. It's grown outdoors with plenty sunlight, and it's watered daily, fertilized about 3 times per week. It's roots are very healthy-looking, very thick and long with 1-inch green tips. There were originally 5 buds but since then, 2 changed black and died when they were quite small. I saw an ant on it while it was budding (and there is still an ant there). Could any of these be why? Is the plant unhealthy???!
thank you everyone!!

Blueszz · #2 03-27-2011, 04:58 PM

I think it will be very hard to ID this hybrid. About your question concerning the damage to the flower, I think this is mechanical damage, rough handling, bud bumping into things maybe by the wind...

I occasionally have Vanda buds drying and turning black, these are always the top 1 or 2 on a spike. Don't know how normal this is for a Vanda.

About the care, I have totally different growing conditions, hope someone more familiar with the climate you live in will jump in and answer these questions for you.

Congrats with the flowers :-) It's a pretty bloom!

Nicole

thepurpleorange · #3 03-27-2011, 05:28 PM

thanks Nicole! Actually what you said about mechanical damage makes sense... It's been very windy for weeks here so it must have been that. The other 2 buds look like they're in much better condition so far. And the blackened buds we indeed the top 2.

Angurek · #4 03-27-2011, 10:30 PM

Judging from the shape of the flower and the leaves, I'd say it's a hybrid of V. Josephine Van Brero (AKA JVB). It could be V. Usha, V. Tharab Delight, or something else.

thepurpleorange · #5 03-29-2011, 01:00 PM

thank you, Carl!

I googled your suggestions and found flowers that looked almost exactly like mine, except maybe the tiniest variation in colour! It's good to have some idea of where it may have come from though!

my second bud is in bloom and in much better condition. From the pics I found online of your suggestions I realise that where I thought by flower was particularly raggedy-looking, the petals are actually supposed to be a bit willowy!

I added a couple more pics of the new flower!

tucker85 · #6 03-29-2011, 03:15 PM

It's a very pretty vanda. I love that orange color. The buds may have turned black because it's still recovering from being in that old medium. When I try to save an orchid that hasn't been grown properly, it seems to take a very long time before it grows and flowers well. I think you're doing everything right and all it needs is a little time before it blooms without any bud problems. Good luck.

thepurpleorange · #7 03-29-2011, 03:40 PM

thanks tucker85! to a new orchid owner that means a lot!

This definitely has to be my favourite of my collection. Do you know if it's the type of orchid that blooms more than once per year?

Junebug · #8 03-29-2011, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angurek

Judging from the shape of the flower and the leaves, I'd say it's a hybrid of V. Josephine Van Brero (AKA JVB). It could be V. Usha, V. Tharab Delight, or something else.

I agree with Carl about the JVB influence. My favorite noid Vanda has petals shaped much the same as yours but the colors are a little different. I've searched and searched for her identity but with so many hybrids out there I can never be sure. The closet name I've come up with for my plant is Vanda TMA. The TMA is a JVB cross. Be patient, it takes a few days for the flowers on my Vanda to attain their final shape and color. For a comparison of our blooms see my avatar photo.

orchidsamore · #9 03-30-2011, 08:17 AM

The weather is turning hot and dry around the world before spring rains especially in Florida.

This is the conditions that attacks thrips to orchid buds seaking moisture, they especially attack Vanda and Dendrobium. Black dried buds are almost always the result of thrips.

The original photo while it could be physical damage is also typical of thrips or other insects.

Vanda lover · #10 03-30-2011, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thepurpleorange

thanks tucker85! to a new orchid owner that means a lot!

This definitely has to be my favourite of my collection. Do you know if it's the type of orchid that blooms more than once per year?

Vandas can bloom more that once a year. It depends on the plant's background and cuture. If you give it as much sun as possible without burning it, that will help. Mine blooms 3 times a year, but I was told that Pak chong blue has a little rynchostylis in it, which helps it bloom more. It sounds as if you are caring for your gorgeous vanda very well.