V. Cindy Banks 'Bill's Choice' Questions

[AaronM]

O.K. Vanda experts. If anyone out there is familiar with or owns a Vanda Cindy Banks 'Bill's Choice', I need to know two things.
1) Does it have a scent that is faintly reminiscent of moth balls or menthol?
2) Does it have thin, tightly folded leaves that have a tendency to flop or fold over (possibly a genetic defect in the breed)?

I really need to know the answers to these questions as this may be the plant I've been searching for. I got the plant from my brother-in-law sans name tag and am looking for a new healthier plant.

Thanks to anyone who can be of assistance.

AaronM

[Dorothy]

Moved from Vanda Alliance - Neofinetia Forum
to Vanda Alliance - Others Forum

[dgenovese1]

Hey Aaron,

V. Cindy Banks should ahve a light sweet fragrance...I've not thought of it as menthol or mothball like.

The leaves should be sturdy and well spaced much like any other vanda. Your description is not inherent to this hybrid; it sounds like the plant has been stressed by too little water over a long period, or has somehow gotten a bug (insect or virus) in its stem. I don't know the exact etiology of this problem, but I have seen it.

Here's a link to another thread that talks about V. Cindy Banks: It finally bloomed! Vanda Cindy Banks Bills Choice

I hope this helps

[susiep]

Aaron, how are you? I've missed your funny posts! I have a Vanda Cindy Banks. I got it at Bonnet House Gardens.

[AaronM]

Hey Susie,
Does it have tightly folded leaves, like someone took a typical vanda, laid it on its side and ironed it?

The grower from whom this vanda was purchased said he is fairly sure it is V. Cindy Banks 'Bills Choice'. The only other possibility was V. Mimi somethingoranother, but I think we pretty much eliminated that possibility.

AaronM

[susiep]

Aaron, I got it last year at the show at Bonnet House. It is a big cutting but it hasn't bloomed yet. I will take some pics of the leaves and post them tomorrow. If you want to know about 'Cindy Banks' then you should talk to the people from Broward Orchid Supply, Tom or Sandi 1-877-9ORCHID (877-967-2443). They are the curators for the orchid collection there. Really nice people and they would be glad to help you. The 'Cindy Banks' at Bonnet House is very old and huge!

[susiep]

Aaron, did you ever find your vanda? Just in case you wanted to know, I spoke to the curator for the orchids at Bonnet House in Ft Lauderdale today. He told me some things about 'Cindy Banks' that I found interesting. It is supposed to be an old cross from the 1950's. (Like I said before the plant at Bonnet House is huge.) He said Vanda Mimi Palmer x Vanda luzonica = Vanda Cindy Banks. If you still want one you can get one from them. Just contact Tom at Broward Orchid Supply or go to the orchid fair at Bonnet House Dec 6-7.

[AaronM]

Thanks Susie,
I'll contact them as soon as I have an orchid budget again.

AaronM