False pregnancies?

[lobsterman]

Should I be scared about "false pregnancies" on one of my vandas?
I have a monster vanda, apx 8'-10' tall from top of upper keiki to lowest root tips. The "mother" has had a couple of times in the last year where she will produce a bloom, then start a new spike that will die off before completion. Then a few months later, a new healthy bloom. When that one is finished, a few months later another new spike grows to only 3-4 inches, just when you can start seeing "bumps" on the spike and then die.

Any ideas? Is this normal, or do I need to be taking evasive action?

[Roly0217]

Hello there lobsterman !!!! It seems a bit odd to me but it does happens sometimes. What's your water regime like for the vandas ??? They should be watered daily or even twice a day in the summer days here. If not done so this could cause they spike to stop dry off. Always do so early in the morning because if done during midday it can actually burn the plant and later afternoon it might not dry in time and cause the spike to rot and die. If it's healthy; the vanda will bloom every 2 to 3 months or so. Tell us what's your culture like and we can try to eliminate factors.

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by lobsterman

Should I be scared about "false pregnancies" on one of my vandas?
I have a monster vanda, apx 8'-10' tall from top of upper keiki to lowest root tips. The "mother" has had a couple of times in the last year where she will produce a bloom, then start a new spike that will die off before completion. Then a few months later, a new healthy bloom. When that one is finished, a few months later another new spike grows to only 3-4 inches, just when you can start seeing "bumps" on the spike and then die.

Any ideas? Is this normal, or do I need to be taking evasive action?

Hmmmm, sounds like your Vanda is related to mine. Last year it was all about her developing several mystery bumps and 4 non-developing spikes. She was driving me nuts. Her 5th spike is now blooming and she's producing a sizable basal keiki. It's needless to say that I'm relieved.

[cb977]

...or you could show us some

[lobsterman]

Originally Posted by Roly0217

Hello there lobsterman !!!! It seems a bit odd to me but it does happens sometimes. What's your water regime like for the vandas ??? They should be watered daily or even twice a day in the summer days here. If not done so this could cause they spike to stop dry off. Always do so early in the morning because if done during midday it can actually burn the plant and later afternoon it might not dry in time and cause the spike to rot and die. If it's healthy; the vanda will bloom every 2 to 3 months or so. Tell us what's your culture like and we can try to eliminate factors.

Rolando,
Just up the street from you in Davie.
The vanda in question is right next to a staghorn that has a bit more sun than it would like, so I water the stag frequently. When doing that, I hit the vanda. Usually just hose water, but I do have a fertilizer bag tied at the top. The vanda gets 80-90% direct Winter sun from about noon on. (shade b4). Summer will get direct sun from noon on. This is a new location for her. Last summer she was direct sun all the time, but did the same type of bloom die-off.

BTW...I do know to water early in the day. Not that I'm always didligent.