cutting vanda shorter

[monet]

Hi Everyone,
My vanda manuvadee is getting rather long if I cut the top off will it delay flowering. It is hanging bare rooted. I would like to put the top into a vase. Any help would be appreciated thank you.

[Gin]

You can top them if there are good roots above the cut , I don't unless they get a case of turkey neck lost leaves from the bottom leaving a good size naked stem . I have a couple that I should ,but have not no turkey neck yet . Not sure about delaying blooming maybe someone else knows

[RosieC]

The major thing is making sure there are plenty or roots on the top piece as that's the part you will be keeping.

I'm with Gin, and would leave it if their are leaves all down the stem.

P.S. I've moved this to the Vanda area as it's not an 'Introduction'.

[Lars Kurth]

Just to add what has been said: you really don't want to do this until April/May as this will give the plant a full growing season to recover and establish.

[Swamper]

Why not keep the bottom too?

[Gin]

I would keep it, might get off sets

[neb]

If you cut it part of the way through then the top will put out some new roots just above the cut. But I would agree with Lars Kurth and wait to do it unless you have a glass house or other means to keep the temperature and humidity up.


The bottom may produce a keiki aswell

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by Swamper

Why not keep the bottom too?

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply the bottom should just be thrown away. What I really meant is that the top part is the main bit which is the most likely to keep going (provided it has roots).

The bottom part may start growing side growths which can then carry on even though it will no longer grow from the top. You just can't garantee this will happen and if it doesn't then that bottom part will eventually die.

I would definately keep both to see what happens though.

[Swamper]

I agree with you Rosie. We are probably picturing the plant differently.
I pictured a long, maybe 4' tall vanda not including the roots at the bottom. If you cut this vanda in half and this vanda were to have 2 to 3 roots above the cut then you would have 2 perfectly happy vandas.
Basically what I gather from her question is that it's a long vanda. How long she doesn't say. Theoretically she can cut it a bunch of times as long as there are a couple of roots and leaves remaining on each cutting.

[monet]

Originally Posted by Gin

You can top them if there are good roots above the cut , I don't unless they get a case of turkey neck lost leaves from the bottom leaving a good size naked stem . I have a couple that I should ,but have not no turkey neck yet . Not sure about delaying blooming maybe someone else knows

Thank you for your reply, The Vanda has made the decision for me as it is throwing a spike so I will wait until spring now. Where I was hoping to cut has not a good strong root.