Vanda Care - Orchid Board

SP2340 · #1 06-19-2008, 12:06 PM

Hello. I bought 3 Vandas about 6 months ago. One died, ones hanging on and the others fine. The one that is sort of still alive was exposed to direct sun for about 2-3 hours as the sun got low, which is why I think it's in its current condition. But I've been spraying the roots daily and fertilizing once a week. I live in South Florida which it's currently 80 degrees and 80% humidity. The one that's doing good is not giving me flowers. Should I fertilize more often or water twice a day? Their my favorite orchids and I hate to see them strugling. Thank you very much for your suggestions.

Don Perusse · #2 06-19-2008, 12:15 PM

You don't say how old they are so don't know if blooming size or not. But So. Fl. is ideal for growing vandas........R.F.Fuks is in So Fl. and they have the most award winning Vandaeous orchids. I think morning sun is okay but direct afternoon sun is a little hot, tho they like high light. Mine are outside in shade house. I water only once a day and fert at same time as watering. They are heavy feeders during growing season but that doesn't mean a heavy dose of fert. Remember "weak". 80% humidity should be great for them as it is here in So. Ga.

SP2340 · #3 06-19-2008, 03:07 PM

I don't know how old they are. I bought them about 6 months ago and they were blooming at that time.

You fertilize yours everyday?

When you say "weak" I use Shultz Orchid fertilizer which is about 1/4 table spoon into one quart water in a spray bottle and I only spray the roots. Does that sound weak?

Thank you very much.

cirillonb · #4 06-19-2008, 04:00 PM

right off I think your Shultz is too concentrated. I believe the container recommends 1/4 [U]teaspoonful per gallon of water[U]. However, you are not describing what I would expect from overfeeding. Perhaps it was a typo but even then it is more concentrated than the manufacturer suggests.
Nick

Don Perusse · #5 06-19-2008, 06:15 PM

Yes, during the growing season I fertilize every time I water BUT I use only 1/2 tsp per gallon of water. Now this if for my Vandaeous family, all others onc., cats., dens. etc. I fertilize only once a week at the same rate however I do add other trace elements at different times.

SP2340 · #6 06-19-2008, 11:39 PM

Thank you. I figured I'd up the dosage by using 1/4 tsp per quart since it's coming out of a spray bottle... I just though not that much fertilizer would get on it. I'll follow directions next time

Ocelaris · #7 06-22-2008, 10:59 AM

And make sure when you "spray" you're thoroughly soaking... it's more important to drench than to mist. misting it's self isn't going to transport the nutrients through the velum. It's like a sponge that's dried out, you need to drench it once, wait 5 minutes, and come back and drench it again... less is more when you have hard water.

The only problem with South Florida is the water is as hard as bricks, so any more dissolved minerals you throw in the water is going to make the situation worse. The plants need Moisture, and the more dissolved minerals you have, it's like them drinking sea water. I think of water and dissolved minerals on a scale of 100% refreshing at 0 ppm dissolved minerals, and drinking tums (those calcium tabs) when you get to "hard water"... Neither end of the spectrum is good for your plants, but you should just be aware and be sparing but regular with the ferts if you live in a hard water area.

I have one plant from florida with a old basket that just looks like it has been soaked in lime (calcium oxides) for decades!

I have a 300ppm water hardness AFTER adding 1 tsp per gallon water fertilizer... 40ppm before adding anything. I find any more than that and the plants don't respond as well. Maybe try Reverse Osmosis or Distilled water on the days you fertilize instead of regular water + fert ? A cheap hand held dissolved minerals meter for ~20$ would probably help you make sure your fertilizer regime is not the culprit if your other conditions are met.