Vanda crown growing to the side, not straight up

[Swamper]

The winter sun is milder but I think there are better options. Do you have any screened in area or a tree? Maybe close to an outside wall on the east or west side of the house. BTW I think they look kinda cool when they are not perfectly straight as long as they are healthy. I don't care about that too much unless I was going to have it judged or something.

[Lilly B]

I could put her on the east side of the tree in front. Since I have her on a stand, I could move it and see if it would be stable there. The sun would still be overhead so she could try to straighten out a bit. I know that you are right, her shape doesn't matter, I just thought it might impact her health. Honestly, I know that no one will ever judge this poor little keiki except me and I love her with all her imperfections.

Oddly, when I checked her tonight she seems to have developed a split at the bottom above the medium she's in. I don't know what's causing this so I took three pictures to show what's there. Any ideas?

Thanks for all your help!

[Junebug]

Don't worry. It's just an emerging root.

[Swamper]

Originally Posted by Junebug

Don't worry. It's just an emerging root.

Yup, good stuff.
Wait, you have a tree? Does it have a canopy? It would work fine. Filtered sunlight over head is ok. What kind of tree do you have?

[Lilly B]

A root, huh? This poor Vanda is living with a Phal mom, poor thing. Roots are good.

I'm not a native of Florida so I don't know what it is. It has these hard nut like things about the size of a plum that fall in late summer. It then loses all leaves in about a month and then they don't come back until about April. I guess the Vanda can live beneath it until the leaves are gone, right?

[Swamper]

Mahogony? That would be a perfect tree. http://www.regionalconservation.org/...sp?tx=Swiemaha
Semi deciduous, so it will grow all it's leaves back when you need the protection from that midday sun. Few better trees out there for orchids IMO. You can grow your vanda under that tree all year. Unless, as we discussed already, it gets really cold.

[Lilly B]

Thank you Swamper, you are good! You got the right tree from my lousy description. I asked a neighbor who does landscaping and he said that it's a West Indies Mahogany. I will move her over in the morning. This time change is killing me. I got back from work and it was dark out 10 minutes later. Thanks for all your help. It's appreciated more than you know. The last question, I promise. Should I put her on the West side of the tree in the winter and then move to East side in the summer when the setting sun is more intense?

[Swamper]

Tha's exactly what I do Lilly. However nothing is set in stone so if you see the leaves darken and no blooms then gradually move it till it gets more light. If it gets too much sun, you will see the leaves turn yellowish.

If you decide to tie it directly to the tree...I would pick South,Southeast. BTW I don't mind the questions. If I know I will be happy to help.

I hope this makes sense. I had no idea that Tylenol3 was so strong.

How about some pictures?

[Lilly B]

I'll take some pics as soon as I have some light. Only thing that's changed is that the first spike has finally made it out of the leaf. Probably won't take pictures until the weekend. Who decided that changing the time was a good idea? I can't believe I'm checking my orchids with a flashlight.
Why the Tylenol 3? Feeling under the weather?

[Swamper]

LOL I know I think they should leave the time as is, at least in S.Florida
Checking any and all plants at night with a flashlight is actually the best time to find and/or investigate your foliage
T3 was for a toothache. All gone now. Thanks.
BTW Tropical Fairchild Gardens is having their 70th annual Ramble event this weekend. If you get a chance, try to go.