I guess after about a year this is a good idea - Orchid Board

MZHMD · #1 01-31-2007, 03:52 PM

Hello:

I have been growing (killing?) orchids since about 1981. I have grown mostly indoors with supplemental light. Had a homemade greenhouse in a Manhattan backyard for a while and a pop-up GroenHaus in New Orleans that washed away in Katrina. I am now in Indianapolis and back indoors with supplemental lights. Both I and my wife grow orchids, I like the pleurothallids and other "queery-deary" types, my wife tends to go for Vandas, Paphs and other more usual types and favors monumental sized plants. I grow a bunch of my minis in "indoor greenhouse" type setups with foggers for humidity, fans and supplemental lights from outside the "greenhouse".

Marquis

Ross · #2 01-31-2007, 04:08 PM

Wonderful! You are near Hoosier Orchids (I'm sure you know that!) How do you grow Vandas indoors? This should be an interesting discussion. Feel free to set up you own gallery (look over to the left under Gallery) and show us pics of your setup. We LOVE pics on this board. Hope to hear more from you through postings.

MZHMD · #3 01-31-2007, 04:27 PM

How do I grow Vandas. Not. My wife 'tries' to grow Vandas. They did very well in New Orleans. They go outside in the summer in full sun (slowly) and languish in winter underlights. We did regularly bloom Ansellia africana under lights in Manhattan, lots of flowers but nothing like what you get in greenhouse culture.

Marquis

Ross · #4 01-31-2007, 05:24 PM

That's what I thought! Vandas like (as I heard) lots of light - more than can be provided in the average window situation. I was just curoius.

terrestrial_man · #5 01-31-2007, 10:35 PM

Welcome to THE BOARD, Marquis
Would love to hear more about your mini-greenhouse growing!!

Tindomul · #6 01-31-2007, 11:59 PM

Welcome to the Orchid Board. Its true, we lust after pics around here, the family friendly kind (I help make sure of that). I'm an aspiring Masdie grower, with four sp. in my possesion, all showing growth. I grow them in my terrarium.

cb977 · #7 02-01-2007, 09:44 AM

VANDAS= LOTS of light, water and food!

cneos · #8 02-01-2007, 10:51 AM

Vandas are like mermaids ... they like sun on their face, wind in their hair and gentle waves lapping their feet.
We grow our vandas in a 144 sq ft. greenhouse (in NH) using supplemental lighting (440W HPS lamp) to extend daylight; a fogger to keep humidity at 85% (also water plants thoroughly every other day in winter); six fans keep air moving all the time. Low (night) temp is 60-62. Winter daytime temp (without asking for more than 60-62 from the heater) is 75-85, except on cloudy days. Feeding (formulae) varies throughout the year. Result: great blooms

Tindomul · #9 02-01-2007, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cneos

Vandas are like mermaids ... they like sun on their face, wind in their hair and gentle waves lapping their feet.
We grow our vandas in a 144 sq ft. greenhouse (in NH) using supplemental lighting (440W HPS lamp) to extend daylight; a fogger to keep humidity at 85% (also water plants thoroughly every other day in winter); six fans keep air moving all the time. Low (night) temp is 60-62. Winter daytime temp (without asking for more than 60-62 from the heater) is 75-85, except on cloudy days. Feeding (formulae) varies throughout the year. Result: great blooms

Now that is a formula that would even make me bloom!