Miserable Vandas, moving on
 

Hello everyone!
I'm fairly new to being an orchid owner, I started getting into all this around August. I ordered several Vandas in September, I live in Arizona, I'm a college student with no greenhouse and have been struggling to keep them moderately happy and having little to no success:( . I bought a huge humidifier and got everything set up in this tiny room with fairly decent light....but it seems its not the 'right' conditions. Some of the leaves have turned yellow and fallen, the roots of some of the plants have turned brown or shriveled. I called my local orchid society and we'll be setting up a time for them to come and pick them up. Im really really sad:_( about all this, its been months of work and I love them, but as a college senior who has no idea if she'll settle or relocate nationally or internationally, I think this is the best course of action. I say one day soon I will own my own greenhouse, have the right resources and funds and take up this hobby all over again. Till then I will live vicariously through you all.
I will be hanging out on the boards and stuff, thank you to everyone for their advice and kindness :)

:sorry: Vandas can be a challenge for the most seasoned grower with a greenhouse.. don't feel bad , You tried and the day will come when you will try again and be successful .. Gin

There must be something else out there that catches your eye besides Vandas. You dont need a greenhouse or elaborate set-up to grow many types. Give it time, and you'll find a new genera that interests you, and will be easier to grow.

IMHO Vandas are TROUBLE if you don't have a GH. I've been culling them from my collection and sending them to people with real greenhouses. It is amazing to see how they respond to proper conditions (12 footers, multi-spike) as opposed to my conditions that provide a new leaf maybe once a month. I'm going to hold on to two of my vanda for the summer to see if they perk up with the better weather.

Ohhhhhh. You frighten me with your "vandas are difficult" talk. I am just expanding my vanda collection.

I have had good luck with a couple after I raised them closer to the light, and brought 2 into bloom. They did OK but did not bloom until I put them on a box up closer to the light. I grow in my basement under HID light. I now have built a rack out of pipes so I could hang them, and raise them up higher.

I feel so bad that you must get rid of your vandas. They are so beautiful and I find soooo much satisfication in bring them into bloom. Possibly you do not have enough light.

Cookie Monster, I hope you find a different type of orchid which you can grow. Please don't give up completely. Bringing an orchid into bloom can be so rewarding, just try something more adaptable to your conditions.

Marilyn

I refuse to listen to anyone who says they are too difficult ;) Granted I've only had them a couple weeks, but the little growth on my Lilac Blossom excites me so much, that I can't be anything but optimistic. It's growing so fast ... yay little keiki :biggrin:

Anyway, I jumped into the orchid thing at the deep end, with some of the more challenging plants. That just means if everything works out, and I can get them to bloom again later this year, it'll be that much sweeter, correct? :scratchhead:

Sorry they didn't work out for you cookie I really do hope you will find something to love that will do really well for you.:goodluck: