Vandas in a Bucket

[cirillonb]

The medium from the grower was some charcoal and not much of that. I did extract what I could which was more than 95%. It came to me in a small basket but inside that the original plant was in a plastic 2 inch square pot which had been buried in the basket. I did not attempt to enter that as it was protected by very dense roots.
Recall, I used some LECA (PrimeAgra) with the epiweb to retain some moisture. About 1:4 ratio. I don't want to water daily and have gotten by with M,W,F. But I left it untended for a week with no effect except the large air root you see
Nick

[quiltingwacko]

My only vanda is growing in a coconut husk pot, sitting on a gravel filled tray with water in it. It seems very happy. Has bloomed again since I bought it blooming and is growing like crazy. I water it once a day. It is growing indoors.
Love that pond idea but the weather is a tad frigid here for chids!

[cirillonb]

My purpose is to prove(or disprove) to myself and my orchid club that Vandas can survive in my less that optimum condition. That is to be yet proved but then the next big step. Will it bloom
Nick

[kavanaru]

guys, I just forgot I had promised to take a picture of my Vanda this weekend which I was supposed to post here...

My problem is that my cleaning lady was here today, and she commented she had seen an orchid she had fallen in love with, but it was absolutelly to expensive for her (250 CHF, which I admit is really too expensive - about 250$, but are the prices of some plants if you buy them in fancy florist shops - and there are many of them in Switzerland) While discussing about prices and plants, and looking at some internet pictures, it came out that the plant she had seen was Vanda Magic Blue. As I had missed her birthday while in Paris (and because she also have much better conditions for growing Vandas that what I have: own house with garden, and winter garden) I decided to give her my Vanda Blue Magic... I did not take a picture of it for you

But I can tell you, it has done very well in the bucket with Epiweb (and a layer of LECA on the bottom, which was always wet). the plant had developed plenty of roots and leaves since growing in these conditions, and had also started to spike (I could confirm today that the nubbing I had seen was a 1.5 cm long spike)



The good part is that she was absolutelly on when i told her to take the plant with her...

...and I think, from now on she will iron my shirts much more better

[quiltingwacko]

Ramon you sound like a pretty smart fellow to me! I bet your shirts will look great!

[Sun rm.N.E.]

Ramon

Thanks for your reply. Picture is not really necessary you are a good enough reporter and since you started this method in the Winter it is long enough to judge results.

I have one more question. Could you give an estimate of the ambient humidity in the Winter for this orchid?

By the way, I too have given away many orchids and when I lost most of my collection a few years ago due to remodeling my new house, I could start easily by getting back divisions from the same orchids.

[Sun rm.N.E.]

"My purpose is to prove(or disprove) to myself and my orchid club that Vandas can survive in my less that optimum condition. "

Nick
It's important to challenge "old hubby tales" which seem more numerous in the orchid world than old wives' tales.

Could you elaborate on your "less than optimal conditions". I too have had success growing some plants against advice with humidity in the 30's indoors in the Winter.

[kavanaru]

Originally Posted by Sun rm.N.E.

Ramon

Thanks for your reply. Picture is not really necessary you are a good enough reporter and since you started this method in the Winter it is long enough to judge results.

I have one more question. Could you give an estimate of the ambient humidity in the Winter for this orchid?

By the way, I too have given away many orchids and when I lost most of my collection a few years ago due to remodeling my new house, I could start easily by getting back divisions from the same orchids.

Sun, the average humidity around my orchids in winter is around 50-60%, however they are sprayed (automatically) 4 times per day

[cirillonb]

Sun,
First off, it's indoors. Worse still in a pot...hard to grow on hanging things in our apartment, although Ross seems to do it.
Next the light may not be optimal. It is on and east facing window sill but there is a screen in the window which I understand is good for 40-50% light reduction. Also I refuse to water daily. The medium is EpiWeb to PrimeAgra 4:1 and I soak in a bucket, purchased for this purpose alone, I don't scrub floors.
Fortunately I got a health plant from Hausermann's with superb roots. As many have said before, these are shriveling up but great new roots are coming out. I think a picture of this plant is earlier in this thread.
Furthermore, the experts in my club state emphatically that you can't get vandas to grow around here except in idea, artificial environments and if they live they will not bloom.
The latter will require some time.
Nick
PS my humidity by a cheap meter is about 50%+ on a commercial humidity tray.

[Sun rm.N.E.]

Ramon
Thanks again for your reply.

Nick

Your plant looks like it is adapting very well so far. I would be grateful if you keep us informed about what happens in the Winter, the real challenge for me with the reduced humidity. Many years ago I kept a few humidifiers going all winter and all my light fixtures rusted. But this may actually do more damage to the walls in the North East so I cut down on the humidifiers.