A question about some vanda species...

[Angurek]

I decided not to give up on this genus and am going to try again with new plants. The plants I'm going to get this time are V. tessellata, V. denisoniana, V. brunnea, V. coerulea, and V. lamellata. I just bought a V. brunnea from Louis de Favero, and I will buy the rest of the plants when time and money permits. I'll delve into Aerides as soon as I can get ahold of the vandas. I won't delve into the big, fancy hybrids until I get more experience with the genus. Anyway, thanks to everyone for the kind words and the advice.

What I'm wondering about the species is when their blooming season begins, and if any of the species need anything special. If anyone has grown any of these species, I'd appreciate the feedback.

Sure wish I had a camera to post a pic of the new plant. It's not that big (probably less than 11 inches tall), but it's clothed in leaves to its base and looks very nice. It's probably going to bloom within a year.

[natasha]

i read that hybrids are more 'open' to mistakes than species. this is because as they are hybrids, the care range is wider than species.

my 'first' chid might be a species too, it is usually found on trees here - perhaps pigeon orchid? i have only a keiki now

anyway, i am going to compile a species wish list soon! wish me luck getting them! oh, and good luck to you too...

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Vanda coerulea is the easiest of the bunch. They're more temperature tolerant.

The others grow warmer.

You can get a non-blooming sized plant at Oak Hill Gardens for $6.

If you like species Vandas try Vanda tricolor. I've seen Santa Barbara Orchid Estate grow tons of them with their Cymbidiums outdoors in the Santa Barbara climate.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Vanda concolor is another easy one from Yunnan, China and this is also temperature tolerant. This one's rare.

Vanda luzonica can tolerate temperatures on the cooler spectrum of the intermediate all the way up to warm and has purple leaves.

Vanda jennae can also tolerate somewhat cooler temperatures, but not as cool as Vanda coerulea. This one's rare but easy as well.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Out of curiosity how do you grow your Vandas?

[Angurek]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Out of curiosity how do you grow your Vandas?

Incorrectly. At least, that's the message my old plants sent me.

LOL seriously, I'm growing my new plant in the brightest spot in my balcony (it gets morning and afternoon light). I drench it every morning in the shower, and now I've gotten into the habit of watering it in the afternoons if the day is hot enough. I use Susie's cheesecloth method when I have to fertilize. The plant's pretty happy so far, but it's still too early to celebrate. I'm using the same method on my seedling, but I moved it to a slightly shadier spot.

[rastafouni]

I do have at home 10 vanda species. I tell you how I grow them or according to their environement in the wild and according to the book : "Vandas and spectacular orchids" ( but this book is not in English).
V.tessellata: this orchid accepts all kind of culture, cold-warm to hot. Under the tropics, the specie bloom all year (I'm lucky). Otherwise from september to december.
Vanda denissoniana :modarate temperature is the best but I grow it in hot. In this case, temperature needs to be low during at least 2 months in winter(december to January). Bloom in march to July and again in september.
Vanda brunnea : like denissoniana,blooming in culture, can be at any time of the year.
the wonderful Vanda coerulea : this species, as seen before, can grow from cold to hot. But,in order to make it blooms often, it is very important(even more important than previous species) to low the temperature for at least 2 months in december. In the wild the species grow in very hot environement in summer to very cold in winter. The species blooms from july to december. I'm able, following those rules, to make it bloom 3 times, even 4 times, during fall.
Vanda lamellata : this specie can be grown from cold to hot temperature. Bloom in november to january.