To Propagate a Vanda hybrid?

[voyager]

I never tried growing Vandas in AK, not enough winter light.
I now have a Vanda that I would like to move to another location.
I don't want to completely remove it.
I would like to "propagate" it to another spot.
This is the plant:


Here is the pic diagrammed as to what I'd like to do:


I want to cut the main stem at the location indicated.
This would leave 3 major roots [2 that go around the tree on the other side cannot be seen] on the upper portion and a large assortment on the lower portion.

There are no signs of any keikis having begun anywhere on the upper or lower portions. I do not want to kill the lower portion, but would like to start another plant[s] from it.

I have used keiki paste to enhance the propagation of my Dendrobium species before with good results. I have picked up some more intending to do it again with the new collection I'm starting.

Questions:
If I just hack the upper portion off, will the lower portion begin new growths on its own?

Is the use of keiki paste workable on a Vanda?

Other Ideas?

[campchi]

Best of luck...I have no exp. In vanda, so hopefully someone here with exp can help ya out

[hanzy08]

if you "top" that vanda, it would grow an off shoot on that bottom half without the help of a keiki paste because that is the plant's natural defense mechanism to survive. I see that it has two spikes on it and it is better to just wait after the flowering is done before you top it. "topping" is the term used in that method of division. your plant is a very nice looking one!

[My Green Pets]

Here is a link to my recent experience chopping off a piece of a Vanda: http://www.orchidboard.com/community...men-vanda.html

I'm not sure what would happen to the lower, leafless part of the plant. It might throw in the towel, but then again you may see new growth.

In any case, it looks like the plant isn't getting enough water (?) resulting in leaf loss all down the stem...

[Fairorchids]

Vandas produce a keiki inhibiting hormone from the top of the plant. Once the plant reaches a certain height (varies by plant), the hormone no longer reaches the base, and keikis start to form. In hybrids with Neofinetia falcata, there is little or no hormone production, so they clump readily.

When you top a plant, it will usually, but not always, form a keiki or two.

[voyager]

Thanks folks.
The lack of leaves on the lower portion is why I was worried about it's survival.
Your responses lead me to think that it could survive.
But, it isn't assured.
So, what I think I'll do is after it finishes blooming I'll cut 1/2 to 2/3 of the way through the stem hoping that it'll stimulate root growth on the upper portion and still allow energy production to support growth of new keikis on the lower, then finish the cut when all looks well for both portions.
We're located in an area that gets at least 160" of precipitation a year.
I don't thing this plant was ever watered by the previous owner.
It looked like this when we first looked at the property.
I know that I haven't watered it.

There are dozens of Vandas on our property.
Most are doing very well.
In fact, they're growing like weeds.
There is at least one that is invasive.
It is reproducing itself by seed.
I have dozens of seedling vandas scattered around on the trees all over my 1 acre lot.
The few that have reached blooming size have the same colored flower as the one large multi stemmed plant that was 25 to 30 feet up in a tree before it was blown down by the hurricane a month ago.
I've salvaged it and mounted it in another tree.
I first noticed it when I was looking at a tree trunk and saw orchid roots at my eye level.
I stepped back and slowly searched up the trunk for an orchid.
Finally I saw it, as I said, about 25' to 30' up in that tree.
I never knew orchids put out roots that long and far from the plant.
I was dumbfound.