Vanda info

[iljjlm]

I just bought two Vandas from Lowes. One says it is V. patchara delight and the other is Ascda. arunee s honey moon concolor. These are my first Vandas. Both are approx. 10cm in length. I would like to put these in a vivarium, but I do not know their requirements. The watering/humidity and airflow I understand just not their light requirements and how large they will get. If any of you have placed this type in a Viv/Terr/Orchidarium what have you found that worked or didn't work for you. They will be mounted to tree fern panels. Thank you.
-Dave

[Rothie]

Dave-
I know Vandas like lots of light,and they will get too big for your vivarium-unless it's huge.You may want to ask this question in the Terrarium forum to get a better answer.

[iljjlm]

Thanks for the reply. It is 36in tall so I'll ask over in the terrarium section to see what they say. How many footcandles are you talking about when you mean high light?
-Dave

[Rothie]

Dave-my book shows from 2200-4000 FC.

[Don Perusse]

V. Arunee Honey Moon is a cross with an Ascda. If you want to see what she looks like go to "my gallery" as mine was in bloom on 05/05/08. I don't know about growing inside as I grow mine outside in a shade house. They do like high light (morning sun okay) and lots of water......like every day. They are fairly heavy feeders also. Good luck with yours.

[Ocelaris]

Yeah, Vandas aren't usually among the top 10 varieties for vivariums unless they are really large. The problem with Vandas is that their root systems tend to be equal or greater in length than the actual leaf section... it's not uncommon to see 2 foot plants with 4 foot long roots... I just made an orchidarium that is 4 feet tall, and I wouldn't want it much smaller.

With that said, you can probably do smaller vandas if you suspend them, and soak the roots fairly often. They do like fertilizer, every time in weak doses is not too much. You could supplement the daily habit with bucket soaks in a weak fertilizer solution and probably do well.

Yes, 2000-4000 FC is ideal, they will take almost full sun, so Metal Halides or better is reccomended... or at least a big compact fluorescent spiral bulb nearby. But they are relatively forgiving, and will grow under lots of conditions. You'll know when you start if they're happy...

I would just say that you'll want to maximize your air flow, and lighting, and the space might not be a big deal.

[iljjlm]

Thanks for the replies. I think I will just grow out in the florida room(screened in porch). Sounds like if I place it next to where my cattleyas are they should do fine.
Don Perusse very nice pictures of yours. Hopefully mine will do as well as yours.
-Dave