V. Pachara Delight won't bloom

[Gage]

I bought this Vanda in February, and it was finishing blooming. That was it's 2nd or 3rd blooming. I heard these are supposed to bloom 3-4 times a year, so either it's still adjusting to my conditions or my conditions aren't suitable to bring it to spike. It's hanging in a tree with some spanish moss on the roots. At first I thought it wasn't getting enough light, so the last couple of months it has gotten about 60% direct sun from sunrise until about 1pm. I water it thoroughly every morning and feed it once a week. It has grown tons of roots and a few leaves, but no spike. Any thoughts?

[tucker85]

I think you just need to be patient. Since the roots are growing well the plant is probably getting everything it needs. It sounds like it's getting plenty of light. Pachara Delight is supposed to be a frequent bloomer. I have one that hasn't bloomed at all yet even though it's getting pretty big. Good luck.

[glengary54]

If a plant is of blooming size, there are usually only three things that will keep it from blooming, not enough light, water or fertilizer. I would move it to and area that has bright dappled light all day long and in S.Florida in the summer, I would be watering it more often unless you are getting rain everyday. You might also consider switching to a bloom booster fertilizer.

[Gage]

Thanks, Tucker. Patience... patience. Breathe...

Glengary, thank you for the advice. Right now, it's in the brightest place it can be without full sun in the afternoon. The only option for afternoon light in my little yard is full sun or shade. Although it isn't getting any direct light in the later afternoon, it is quite bright. I hope it will be enough. I feed with a grow fert (with trace minerals) and seaweed weekly, and switch to a bloom boost and seaweed every 4th week.

[glengary54]

I would switch to a bloom booster for 4-6 weeks.

[cday2inflorida]

I would add that just watering isn't enough. You really need to observe that roots are saturated. They will change from silver white, to a mottled green to a bight apple green. You want to see apple green! It might take several times in a watering to achieve this. And during the heat we are having...it would be great if it could be watered noonish.
Good luck, Gage...and be patient, I know it is hard!!

[fishmommy]

I am finding this particular plant to be more sensitive to dehydration than any of my other vandas and hybrids.
Water it well and once it grows sufficient root structure for the environment it should start blooming again.

At nurseries this one is often grown in empty clay pots with lots of holes. The clay pot protects the roots from drying out too quickly and the holes are essential to allow the roots to grow freely outward. No medium, or at most a few large bark chips. If you are in a rush to bloom it you might try that method.

[Gage]

Thanks, Cathy and fishmommy. Since I work full time, watering more than once per day isn't possible during the week. That is why I have the roots mostly covered in spanish moss, it keeps them from drying out so quickly. And I do water thoroughly enough that the roots turn a nice green. Maybe I can add more moss and step up the watering on the weekends?

[fishmommy]

as it grows more roots it will be more resiliant as well, so patience may be the best answer
good luck - it's a nice flower once you get it going!

[cday2inflorida]

Gage...The only thing about the moss, I tried it and found thrips right away. Keep an eye out. They can destroy young emerging spikes.