Vanda/Ascda Light Requirements

[JenHowlett]

A couple months ago I purchased a a full Vanda hybrid, a Vanda/Ascocenda cross, and an Ascocenda hybrid. They're pretty small right now (6-8 inches tall, with 6-8 leaves apiece) but otherwise in good shape. The roots are growing well, but still not quite enough to support them in even a small Vanda basket yet so I've got them in very coarse bark and mist daily. They live in a south/east window.

Here's my question. I live in Kentucky so its not quite warm enough for them to move outdoors yet, but I'd like for them to take advantage of the heat and humidity we'll get in a few months here.

I know that Vandas require a lot of light, but exactly how does that work? I've heard that some require almost full sun- does that mean like in the middle of the yard, no trees, with 12hrs of light a day? I was rather planning on putting them on an east wall to get full morning sun (to around 11 or noon) and then shaded thereafter. Is that too much/not enough light? Would they prefer a more southerly position?

[orkie]

You will have to experiment with the light, but either way get them used to it gradually, I burned my full vanda hybrid in full west sun 2 years ago and so last year I put up some shade cloth. Morning eastern sun would probably be great and not too hot for your plants so unllikely to burn them, but whether it will be enough for the full hybrid to flower, not sure. They will certainly grow in that light though.

The Ascocendas will probably bloom well in full eastern light, you will have to try it for the vanda hybrid and see how it works, you can always try more light next year.

[JenHowlett]

I was actually going to start acclimatizing all of my outdoors-for-the-summer orchids to real light this week while its supposed to be warm and mostly unclouded. Its only warm enough to have them outside in the afternoons, but I figure if its only a half hour a day, it would be a good warm-up to morning sun come mid May when they go outside.

As far as blooming...I thought Vandas had to get pretty big before they bloomed? Will the Ascocendas bloom younger?

[orkie]

Some Ascocendas bloom at smaller sizes, it depends on how much of their background is Vanda (and which species) and how much is Ascocentrum.

When they are big enough to bloom though, they can probably do it in a bit less light than a straight Vanda.