Droopy vanda spike and flowers

[Sammy]

Hi Guys

Merry Christmas to all!

I have a vanda that was given to me in flower, i have had it for a couple of months now and the main spike is starting to droop and the flowers too.

I am keeping it in vase culture and have been soaking it for 20 min each day in tap water and have been giving it a couple of drops of Baby Bio orchid feed once a week or so

She is in a south east facing window, getting a good amount of light, does anyone have any suggestions as to what might be happening to her or what i could do to perk her up.

Am i using the right feed for vanda vase culture?

Anyone have any helpful suggestions? Thanks all.

[Junebug]

Hi Sammy,

Your plant looks like it's in good health. After 4 to 6 weeks it's natural for the flowers and spike to begin declining. The spike will not reflower and should be removed. This is done by snipping it off about an inch from where it emerged from the plant. Not to worry though... Your plant should produce future spikes if your growing conditions are right.

[RosieC]

I would agree, so long as the leaves are still in good condition (which from the pic it looks like they are) then it's just natural aging of the flowers.

[Sammy]

Thanks for the advice guys. i wasn' sure how long a vanda flowers for, but she's been in bloom since at least early november when i got her, so i suppose i have had a good run of flowers.

Do you know how many times vanda's flower in a year, i have hear that its' up to 3. (depending on conditions)

Is there an optimum time for me to cut the spike off?

Thanks again..x

[Junebug]

I'm not an expert but generally speaking 3 times a year sounds about right and sometimes even more if the plant is mature and the conditions are right. A younger plant might bloom only once or twice a year. I suppose genetics also play a role.