My Vanda needs more water?

[Louder Than Hell]

I purchased my first hybrid Vanda around a month ago and it has been growing significantly. I live in the UK and the weather has been good, my windows are very big and east facing so it gets a lot of light. However my flat is also quite dry and I was concerned 40% humidity would have been a problem.

I received the Vanda mounted on the tiniest plastic basket and I've been misting it (heavily on the roots, lightly on the leafs) every morning. But this morning having had a look at it it seems to me the leafs seems slightly shrivelled, or is this normal?

I do like the look of how it is now but if it can't cope with it what's the best thing to do here? Glass vase? Basket with coconut fibre? What's best when it comes to having to break their roots to make them fit in a new pot?

Thanks!

	Mistking Looking for a misting system? Look no further. Automated misting systems from MistKing are used by multitude of plant enthusiasts and are perfect for Orchids. Systems feature run dry pumps, ZipDrip valve, adjustable black nozzles, per second control! Automatically mist one growing shelf or a greenhouse full of Orchids. See MistKing testimonials

[jcec1]

I grow all of mine in glass vases which makes them really easy to water and manage. As for the roots I would leave them overnight in a bucket of water, then the next day they will be really pliable and fit into the glass jar.

I just leave the plastic basket in the roots.

[fishmom]

Just to add, misting is not a substitute for actual watering. That vanda needs the equivalent of a daily tropical downpour--a good soaking for a few minutes.

	Mistking Looking for a misting system? Look no further. Automated misting systems from MistKing are used by multitude of plant enthusiasts and are perfect for Orchids. Systems feature run dry pumps, ZipDrip valve, adjustable black nozzles, per second control! Automatically mist one growing shelf or a greenhouse full of Orchids. See MistKing testimonials

[Louder Than Hell]

Originally Posted by fishmom

Just to add, misting is not a substitute for actual watering. That vanda needs the equivalent of a daily tropical downpour--a good soaking for a few minutes.

I stopped using a bucket because the largest one I have need a lot of water to be filled and is still not big enough for all the roots

[Louder Than Hell]

What size of a glass vase am I looking for?

[Roberta]

With those beautiful long roots, the taller the better. Since you also have to be able to carry the vase (and be able to lift it to pour off excess water), and not have it tip over, the "ideal" is probably not possible, so go for the best compromise that will physically work for you and that you can actually find.

[Fairorchids]

Vandas need high humidity, and LOTS of water. However, you do not want to live in environment with 70-90% relative humidity.

In an apartment, the best compromise is to grow the plants in a vase (fill to let plant soak, pour out excess after 10-15 min). Do this weekly in winter and twice weekly in summer. Add a few drops of fertilizer every 3rd time.

I know of people who grow them in bathrooms (with overhead windows), literally taking showers with their plants.

[Louder Than Hell]

Thank you all for your help. I found a beautiful big vase (costed almost as much as the Vanda &#128517. Few hours of soaking helped with the roots and I managed to snap just a small one. I was a bit on the fence on removing the plastic basket but I just thought it was never going back on if I removed it.....

Now I'm just slightly worried that a little of the weight of the plant is on a root which is touching the edge of the vase which is not sharp but not round either🤔

@Fairorchids: I wish I had a brightly lit bathroom! I'll follow your schedule and we'll see where that bring us

[jcec1]

Originally Posted by Louder Than Hell

Thank you all for your help. I found a beautiful big vase (costed almost as much as the Vanda &#128517. Few hours of soaking helped with the roots and I managed to snap just a small one. I was a bit on the fence on removing the plastic basket but I just thought it was never going back on if I removed it.....

Now I'm just slightly worried that a little of the weight of the plant is on a root which is touching the edge of the vase which is not sharp but not round either🤔

@Fairorchids: I wish I had a brightly lit bathroom! I'll follow your schedule and we'll see where that bring us

I think that looks great.

[Roberta]

The little plastic basket does no harm, and probably helps, protecting the base of roots and being less flexible than the roots. I think it is held in place well enough (by sheer bulk of roots) that you don't have to worry about stressing anything. Well done!