Violet Vanda Advice

[Roly0217]

Originally Posted by alan3885

Hello that brown stuff is orchid potting mix from Home Depot and it contains Composted bark and peat moss.

I don't think that composted bark and peat moss are the best medium for the vanda. If you do decide to leave it in the pot switch it to chunky bark or charcoal or a mix of both. but the roots need to receive good aeration and humidity which in a pot won't be able to.

[alan3885]

Today I took a small bowl and filled it up with small river rocks and filled the bowl half way up with water and put the vanda on top of the river rocks to increase the humidity level and I was wondering what were your thoughts or experiences with humidity bowl or tray setup?

[Roly0217]

Originally Posted by alan3885

Today I took a small bowl and filled it up with small river rocks and filled the bowl half way up with water and put the vanda on top of the river rocks to increase the humidity level and I was wondering what were your thoughts or experiences with humidity bowl or tray setup?

Alan I don't use humidity trays on my plants outside because my climate is naturally humid but I do use on my Paphs indoors. I use small gravel to cover the tray and fill it up with water until the point that the water is almost all they way covering the rocks. You do not want the pot sitting in water. But humidity tray might not work with the vanda since you have to water it daily. They tray will overflow unless you water the plant separately and then place it back on the tray. Remember to repot the plant into large chunky bark and if possible mix in some styrofoam peanuts to maintain the medium aerated.

[alan3885]

I’m starting to get a little worried about why the tip of the roots are turning dark brown and the very tip looks like it’s getting burnt and ready to fall off like colors in the first pic? However the overall plant and leafs and majority of the other roots are dark green and the plant itself seems very healthy....

[Don Perusse]

Boy, you have a lot of one on one advice. Now it's up to you whether you take it or not. I agree with most of the advice you have been given. I live in SW Ga., zone 8b, which is about the same as yours. I have a collection of 180 orchids, 25 of which are in the vandaeous family. I agree with putting vandas in baskets but I use few large chunks of charcoal in the basket. Some that are 4'tall with no basket just hanging on a wire. They love the heat and in the colder periods go somewhat dormant. And you do have to water and fertilize a lot. I don't water mine every day except in the heat of summer. During the cooler months maybe 2-3 times a week. Some of the larger ones bloom only once a year but the Ascdas., Mokara, etc. will bloom twice a year. Quite a few will bloom with two spikes. Good luck with yours. Remember, they are warm growers, like high light, heavy fertilizer and plenty of water.