vanda watering question

[fishmommy]

I am seeing signs of dehydration (wrinkled, clenched leaves) in my bare-root vandas. I soak them for 10-20 minutes every day (distilled + ferts).
I grow indoors under 600W HPS at 75F and with a cool mist humidifier.

They bloom and grow new leaves, but could I be under-watering? If so, would it make sense for me to transfer these into pots with bark to retain moisture better?

These all have *huge* free root systems so is potting even possible?

Thanks!

[rastafouni]

10 to 20 minutes is far enough if you soak everyday. Your problem don't come from that. If they get dehydrated you have you increase the rate of humidity, 50 % is the minimum tolerated to get healthy Vandas.
In Thailand, the rules in Orchid farms/nursery (That I apply to myself too of course) about watering Vandas who are always grown bare roots are : soak/water every early morning for 5 to 10 minutes, plants have to get completly dry in 2 hours maximum. Add of fertilizer one time a week.
I really think that you water enough, try to see about humidity.
Hope it will help.

[fishmommy]

thanks for clarifying that for me

I'm at my wit's end with humidity - I grow in a closet lined with plastic and with a cool mist humidifier on full blast within 1 foot of the plants. I run a fan to recirculate air within the space (I don't vent outside the room) I also have the entire floor covered with trays full of water. I guess my options are more humidifiers or somehow seal the room better.

Any advice?

The Vandas do bloom and grow, so it's not an emergency. I just hate to see the leaves growing in so tightly kinked. I recently had to literally pry the top growth apart on my Trevor Rathbone - two opposing leaves were locked together and would have probably killed all further growth if I hadn't intervened. It's leaves are naturally wavy, but not to this extreme. So, I need to do something but have time to consider options. It's older leaves are kind of dehydrated looking.

[Brookpoint]

just found this post and I agree, I do not like the wood baskets. I have 3 that have rotted out recently and it is so difficult to remove the orchid.l Plus that they are heavy and if you place the bad one in a new larger basket, even heavier. They aren't pretty but I am trying some of the black, open plastic baskets for a couple of the ones I removed from the wood baskets. Hope they do well.