my vanda spike died, why?

[nutgirl]

I got my Princess Mikasa last summer. My one and only vanda. It is in a glass vase and seems to be doing well. It has doubled in size and the root mass has filled the vase. I fill the vase and soak it every other day or so. It is fed with a balanced fertilizer weakly weekly. It started a flower spike last month and when it was about an inch long it turned yellow and died.

Is this something that happens to vandas? Is there something I could be doing to prevent it from happening again?

Maureen

[Junebug]

The same thing happened with my Semi-Terete Vanda NOID last year and it was very frustrating. Over a period of 5 months, four short spikes expired, but the 5th spike was successful. Those long awaited beautiful blooms were fully developed, with intense color and lasted about 12 weeks. A few days ago I noticed a tiny new spike emerging. Whether or not it will actually bloom still remains a question. Only time will tell. Good Luck with your baby.

June

[bellini girl]

Originally Posted by nutgirl

I got my Princess Mikasa last summer. My one and only vanda. It is in a glass vase and seems to be doing well. It has doubled in size and the root mass has filled the vase. I fill the vase and soak it every other day or so. It is fed with a balanced fertilizer weakly weekly. It started a flower spike last month and when it was about an inch long it turned yellow and died.

Is this something that happens to vandas? Is there something I could be doing to prevent it from happening again?

Maureen

Don't give up. The same thing happened to me last year. same plant is now in bloom. Could be temperature change, thrips. Lots of vanda growers here. For sure the more experienced will chime in with good advice

[Swamper]

Sure sounds like thrips if you were in Fla like I am. Whenever I have a vanda spiking I spray it down..the whole plant if not I have a good chance of loosing it to thrips. A cold change will do it too. But since it's so hot here and so summer like already, I would blame it on thrips.

[nutgirl]

Thanks to all responding. I'll check for bugs and patiently wait. I'm glad it can be a "thing" with vandas.