Vanda culture in Melbounre

[rogerman]

Originally Posted by Bolero

I will have to get some and try it out. I haven't had luck with Aerides but I think with Vanda's it could be easier in this climate.

Aerides are even VERY VERY slow growers in Thailand. No wonder you don't have too much luck in Aussie with them.

Here, after about two years it'll give it's first flower, but it is not a nice one and the plant is really small still.

Vandas and Asco. are good here, They grow fast, will be a reasonable size and flower after a year.

[Bolero]

Yeah Aerides aren't easy to grow, even in the right climate they need good care. I can remember when I first tried growing them someone (a judge) told me they are deciduous. Yes funny I know but we all learn good from bad advice.

So for Vandaceous plants two years for a first flowering doesn't sound unreasonable and I think it's worth giving them a try (well Acda's anyway). So if I can get flowers after a year I will be happy.

[rogerman]

I have sent a flask of Vanda hybrid to my parents in NZ.... will be interesting to see if they grow.

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by Eythan

thank you greatly

and how do you go with water, medium and fertiliser?

Mine are in 2 bark: 1 scoria. They're watered every 3 days in summer (as per water restrictions) and maybe weekly to fortnightly in winter. They're fertilised with 1/2 strength orchid fertiliser.

[Roy]

I find it interesting that Aerides are slow growers, they are some of the fastest growing Vandaceous plants I have. Even Rhynchostylis retusa out of flask are growing like weeds. The one major thing I have found is that they don't need the amount of warmth that is suggested.
Darren, Deciduous Aerides ???? Is that Judge still on the panel ????

[rogerman]

Originally Posted by Roy

I find it interesting that Aerides are slow growers, they are some of the fastest growing Vandaceous plants I have. Even Rhynchostylis retusa out of flask are growing like weeds. The one major thing I have found is that they don't need the amount of warmth that is suggested.
Darren, Deciduous Aerides ???? Is that Judge still on the panel ????

Could it be something regarding the fact that i'm in their native climate and you're not?

[Bolero]

Originally Posted by Roy

I find it interesting that Aerides are slow growers, they are some of the fastest growing Vandaceous plants I have. Even Rhynchostylis retusa out of flask are growing like weeds. The one major thing I have found is that they don't need the amount of warmth that is suggested.
Darren, Deciduous Aerides ???? Is that Judge still on the panel ????

No that person isn't on the panel anymore. I'm not sure if they were intentionally misleading me or not.

[Roy]

Originally Posted by rogerman

Could it be something regarding the fact that i'm in their native climate and you're not?

Don't know Peter, I would have thought that in their native zone they would be better. In the actual area these plants grow in nature, is there much variation in climate to where you live. By your local' there are/were some large Vanda nurseries located but its in a built up city area isn't it?? Maybe they can't adapt to city living.

[rogerman]

Originally Posted by Roy

Don't know Peter, I would have thought that in their native zone they would be better. In the actual area these plants grow in nature, is there much variation in climate to where you live. By your local' there are/were some large Vanda nurseries located but its in a built up city area isn't it?? Maybe they can't adapt to city living.

No, actually the main nurseries are out of town, as the price of land is greatly reduced. Some of the big nurseries are 1-5 hectares.
I'm in the middle of building a 1 hectare nursery but I already have a small one in town......doesn't seem to be much difference in growing climates.
Just look at the pinus radiata trees that are in Aussie and NZ. They are not native and they grow like weeds unlike where they came from.

[Bolero]

It is an interesting point. I wonder why that would be. It is indeed strange that a plant would adapt better outside it's natural habitat.