Mini Vanda repotting advice and other recommendations

[avian]

I received 5 mini Vandas from Krull-Smith about 2 1/2 weeks ago. They are potted in plastic pots. 3 of them came with very little or no media in the pots and the other 2 are in pots filled with LECA. I have never grown anything in LECA so how often should those be watered? As per Krull Smith, I was told daily.

Can I place these outside? Temps range from as low as mid 30s in the winter and can go up to low 100s in the summer. Not a lot of humidity here in So. CA. Krull-Smith website states that they "will do great both outdoors or in an indoor setup." Have two other mini Vandas and those are sometimes outdoors depending on the weather. Have a mounted Neofinetia outdoors and one indoors. If I put the new minis outdoors I would probably bring them inside if weather became too hot or too cold.

I think it might be good to repot the ones that have no media. Would that be a good idea or should I attempt to mount them? Have never placed any of my orchids on mounts. If I repot should I go with LECA, bark mixture or sphagnum moss or nothing for the ones without media and perhaps put them in hanging cedar baskets? If I go with cedar baskets, can anyone recommend good resources from which to purchase those? Thought I could hang the minis on the branches of my lemon tree or under some shade cloth (40%). As for the ones with LECA, should I repot those or just leave them in the LECA for now?

Thanks in advance.

[Dusty Ol' Man]

I would follow the vendor's advice on watering. And I would leave them as they are. They don't need pots, except as a means to hang them. The leca won't break down so no need to repot. I would think either under the tree or under 40% shadecloth would be acceptable light. Other folks may have recommendations too.

[Roberta]

Can you be specific on the names of the mini-Vandas? This time of year, certainly all will be fine outside (night temps are not cold enough to be a problem for any) Some shading to protect from direct sun on those hot summer days would be beneficial.

Many of the mini-Vandas have significant amounts of Neofinetia (Vanda) falcata in their background, and can be very cold-tolerant, especially if kept on the dry side. That's why the question about names... it is possible to look up parentage, which can tell a lot about what they'll tolerate in the winter. (30's F no problem for the species Neof. falcata and hybrids threof) Your bigger challenge is keeping everybody hydrated, especially in summer or when the easterly winds (called "Santa Anas and a variety of other names) bring heat and dessicating humidity . In hot weather, water both in morning and evening. (Cold weather water only in the morning) The way they are potted - totally appropriate for Vandas -,you can't possibly overwater them so don't hold back.

[avian]

Based on the replies, I guess I won't repot for now although I would like to be able to hang them so maybe move them into some type of basket in the future.

The orchids are (5 mini vanda special):
1. Vanda White Crane (50% falcata x 50% sanderiana) x Vanda Cristata
2. Vandaenopsis Pilialoha (Phal. pulcherimma x V. falcata)
3. V. falcata x V. (testacea x Prema Indigahawela)
4. V. Virgil (falcata x cristata) x V. vietnamica
5. V. white crane

I checked before I purchased them and thought they would be fine here because of the falcata background and cristata is supposed to OK with extreme temperatures, favoring cool. Hoping the sanderiana background of White Crane won't be an issue. V. testacea and V. vietnamica also prefer warm temperatures.

Will make sure they get enough water.

[Roberta]

V White Crane is V. falcata x V sanderiana, the photos look like the V. falcata is dominant so it should be fine outside. Mix in V. cristata and it will be even more cold tolerant. (V. cristata is definitely one of the cold tolerant vandas) So the one that is half V. Virgil also fine. V. testacea is also cold-tolerant. (It comes from a range of elevations... the Baker culture sheet indicates that its habitat can go down to 29 deg F) So you chose well!

Actually, there is no reason why you couldn't repot to put them into baskets/net pots. Assuming that they take after the V. falcata that is dominant, likely are growing and rooting now so will be especially adaptable. I use those net pots, with loosely-packed sphagnum. So they dry out fast, get lots of air, but have a small reserve of moisture. Putting them outside now is great - weather is mild, they'll have a chance to acclimate slowly to the summer heat, and then during the fall cool-down acclimate to cold.

---------- Post added at 04:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:27 PM ----------

Just for the record... I grow Neof.(V) falcata, V. cristata, V. Paki (cristata x tricolor), V. testacea outside as described (net pots with a bit of sphagnum, hanging) as well as an assortment of Neof hybrids. Southern California (coastal), winter lows into the mid to high 30's F, summer highs mostly not much above 90 F most of the time but can go higher. I water a lot in summer.

[avian]

Do you have a good source for hanging net pots?
Trying to find net pots that already have the hangers attached.

Coastal weather is a lot better than valley weather in the summer. Wish I lived closer to the coast.

The Neofinetia I have indoors is potted in sphagnum moss, Japanese style mound. It seems "happy" indoors so I'm a bit hesitant to move it outside.

[Roberta]

For your Neo - Not broken, don't fix it... I'd leave it where it is. I get my net pots either online, at shows, or I have a nearby garden supply shop in Gardena (Yamada Company). For online, consider Flori-Culture Octagonal Plastic Baskets - Flori-Culture: Hoyas + Tropicals + Supply . They weigh practically nothing, so shipping isn't very expensive. I get the wire hangers (like 3 wire for those net pots). Since all these Neo hybrids also don't really require much light, you also could grow them indoors with your Neo. Yes, the Valley (assume San Fernando Valley) can be really hot and dry. You may need to bring them inside during the summer if it gets really hot - or set up misters on a timer that runs 2 or 3 times a day to cool them off. (and maybe cool YOU off too... )

[avian]

I've been to Yamada. It was a long drive but worth it to get Orchiata. I could use some more but remember reading that they don't have any in stock and perhaps they are no longer going to sell that and with gas prices so high might now be less expensive to order online and have it shipped.

Checked out the net pots at Flori-culture and will probably order a few along with the hangers. Thanks for the recommendation.

Guess I could have specified which valley, . I live in the San Gabriel Valley.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by avian

Guess I could have specified which valley, . I live in the San Gabriel Valley.

Just as hot and dry in summer... Know it well.

[avian]

I assume that the square Vanda baskets would work. Found some here: Orchid Vanda Baskets for Sale | Green Barn Orchid Supplies
Is Green Barn a good place to order from? Would the octagonals be better than the square ones?
The smallest size for square ones at Flori-Culture is 6" and that is too big.
Flori-Culture does have 4" octagonal. Vandas are currently in 3" pots.