Vanda light requirements

[lore_tex]

I have always been under the impression that vandas love lots of light. How much light do you allow your Vandas? Is it different for each type? I have a V. Sanderiana x something of which I know not and I had been keeping it in bright sunlight - which it actually hated. Now I keep it in shade all of the time, and it has grown much healthier. Is this normal?
I'll do what works but I worry that in the long run, it may not bloom because of it. This vanda has never bloomed in the two years I've had it, although it is fairly young.

[cb977]

Most of mine are hanging aroud the pool so it's full Florida sun with about 20% shading from the screenroom. I'm a firm believer in finding a plant's "happy place"...start it where it's "supposed" to be and keep an eye on it (as you did with yours ), if you see spotting or it starts looking a little red, move it to a place with a little less light...
rinse and repeat as necessary

[justatypn]

It's important to give Vanda's a step above high light. Terete Vanda's can adapt to full sun while strap leaf types do betterr with some protection. I have noticed personally they do not make very good house friendly plants. Having to move mine to the patio or front door-yard, depending on the degree of light. Just hard to find my vanda's happy place.

Here is a tidbit of info on Vanda Alliances AOS Vanda Alliance Culture Sheet

[lore_tex]

Thanks for the responses. I guess it's best to keep it where it is then and hope for the best. It looks quite healthy now. Just puzzles me that all I've ever read about vandas doesn't ring true for this one (or for where I live possibly).

[dusty265]

I have both Species and hybrid Vanda’s that are Summered outdoors. I move them outside in late to mid May. They live and grow on the East side of my home. So they get all the morning light that they want. I have found that it does take some work to watch them and see if there getting to much sun each year when you take them outside. But by mid June there all re acclimated to the outdoors and the fun sun. But I should note that by 1 to 2 pm CST there in the shade from the house.

If you have them in the full Sun through out the day its better to have Programmable misters on them. As this will cool them and keep them hydrated.

I should add that I am in the upper mid-west The Chicago land area that I grow them in.

Good luck

[matucana]

Hi,

according to Jay's site there are only two Vanda species which love full sun, namely V. coerula and V. sanderiana. So, any hybrid with a strong background of those species should like bright sun as well. The others not.

[Neverend]

Hello, I'm a new member, nice to meet you all!

I have a Vanda insignis, and for some reason it's been dormant since I got it months ago. I think the problem is with light, since it's still healthy with the exception of growth. Once I gave it just 2 hours of direct sunlight and it got burned. Currently it's in about 60% sunlight, and I'm not sure if this is still enough for its growth...

[Charles]

60% shade or 60% sun? Either would be ok as long as the plant is gradually introduced to the higher light conditions. As with all of these, gradual increases are the key. Once a plant has reached it's optimum level, maintenance is necessary as the days grow longer and hotter.

[Neverend]

Originally Posted by Charles

60% shade or 60% sun? Either would be ok as long as the plant is gradually introduced to the higher light conditions. As with all of these, gradual increases are the key. Once a plant has reached it's optimum level, maintenance is necessary as the days grow longer and hotter.

60% sun so far, previously before direct sunlight hit my area it was in 75% sun (indirect sunlight), yet it still never grew...

The days are always long and hot here, I live in the tropics. :P