Vanda Seedling Growth Rate
 

Hello Everyone,


I just bought seedlings of species V. Sanderiana and V. Denisoniana and I am just curious as to how far away these seedlings are on becoming mature flowering size orchids. They are about 4in wide and 1/2in tall which is way smaller than I initially thought. The seller’s description states that it may take 2 - 3 yrs for them to flower. Most youtubers say about at least 5yrs. So what do you guys think?

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

Vanda growth rate is directly proportional to nitrogen fertilizer application, and warm temperatures. Sanderiana likes to be hot and humid day and night. Denisoniana likes warm days and intermediate nights. Go to the Motes Orchids site and do some reading.

That said, sanderiana won't flower until it's large. Five or more years is more like it unless your conditions are perfect. That denisoniana - maybe.

I would have said other way round and the denisoniana will take a long time.

If I was looking to get vanda seedlings I would expect 7 years, 5 years if everything went perfectly which it never does and 10 years for the stragglers.

Most people go for faster growing phals which take 3-4 years from flask.

Vanda's will not be any faster.

4 inches across is already a couple years old so in the best case sceanrio 3 years might be possible but I doubt it.

If it helps, I bought a few vanda seedlings 2 years ago now that were that size when I got them, they are now 8,10 and 11 inches across and still nowhere near flowering size..

Thanks for these info! I already set my expectation that it will take at least 5 yrs to maturity. I also find my other Sanderiana hybrid being the heaviest feeder amongst my Vandas. I am planning to feed the seedling with the same fertilizer strength as with the rest of my mature Vandas. Will this be beneficial or a bad idea?