I finally done it! Vanda Pachara Delight in bloom

[NYCorchidman]

Wow~ that looks really nice!

Your plant looks like it is sitting on empty glass container in the picture.
Can you enlighten me on the vase culture you are trying?
I would love to try white/green vanda, but never have tried vanda.

Thanks in advance!

[trdyl]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Can you enlighten me on the vase culture you are trying?

Here is a link to the thread that got me started growing this way.
Vandas in Glass Vases

In a nut shell, the vase helps keep humidity high around the roots in the vase. I fertilize daily. I have been using Expert Gardner 15-30-15 fertilizer at a rate of 1/4 teaspoon/gallon. I fill the vase and soak the roots for 1 to 4 hours daily. The hotter the day is supposed to be the longer I soak it. About once every couple of weeks I will use plain water for the daily soak. I keep the plant in a South facing window year round. When it is not getting any direct light from the South window I move it to a West window in the afternoons to give it as much light as possible without cooking it.

[nutgirl]

Congratulations!!!

Good growing. Vandas can be a challenge for some of us but when you get it right....


Maureen

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by trdyl

Here is a link to the thread that got me started growing this way.
Vandas in Glass Vases

In a nut shell, the vase helps keep humidity high around the roots in the vase. I fertilize daily. I have been using Expert Gardner 15-30-15 fertilizer at a rate of 1/4 teaspoon/gallon. I fill the vase and soak the roots for 1 to 4 hours daily. The hotter the day is supposed to be the longer I soak it. About once every couple of weeks I will use plain water for the daily soak. I keep the plant in a South facing window year round. When it is not getting any direct light from the South window I move it to a West window in the afternoons to give it as much light as possible without cooking it.

Thank you for the information.
I am really temped to try vanda. they are rather big though. how long do the blooms normally last and how often do they flower?

[smweaver]

Very cool, Ted. So you've had success with growing V. tessellata in a vase? I'm interested in learning more about that, if you don't mind. V. tessellata is such a great species with those long-lasting incredibly fragrant blooms. I have three adult plants and have been contemplating experimenting with vase culture with one of them just to see how it goes. I'm not sure, however, how to keep the temperatures within the glass vase lower than an oven, especially if the plant's placed outdoors in a sunny location. Do you put your vase-grown plants outdoors during the warmer months?

Steve

[trdyl]

Thanks Maureen & Steve!

NYC, They are not all huge plants. There are many, many, many smaller ones. Ascocenda and Vascostylis are smaller candidates. If you like species, V. tessellata and javierae to name a couple. The one pictured last time it bloomed lasted about 8-10 weeks. It bloomed this past Fall and now. Some if grown correctly can bloom 4 times a year.

Steve, Very much so. I picked up my V. tessellata Fall of 2010 shortly after I got back from Qatar. The stem was 4" tall (not including leaves) and is now 8.5" tall with its first double spikes. Last Winter it looked like it was spiking, but it blasted for some reason or another. My Vandas stay in year round. As far as putting them outside in the vase I will not since mine are apparently happy were they are. The photos of one of your tessellatas that you posted while I was in Qatar convinced me to give it a try when I got back. It should be in bloom in a few more weeks. It is one of the (black X blue) sibs.

[RedOrchid]

Hi Ted
Congratulations on the beautiful vanda. It hasn't been posted yet, but you won first place on the display table. I didn't realize that we have the same vanda. My Vanda Pachara Delight 'Somsri" GM/JOGA (Karulea x Gordon Dillion) has 2 spikes. I can't wait!!!!

[trdyl]

Originally Posted by RedOrchid

Congratulations on the beautiful vanda. It hasn't been posted yet, but you won first place on the display table. I didn't realize that we have the same vanda. My Vanda Pachara Delight 'Somsri" GM/JOGA (Karulea x Gordon Dillion) has 2 spikes. I can't wait!!!!

Thanks Ruth!

I was a little suprized myself that it took first place. But considering how small it is and how well it bloomed this time, I guess, I does make since. I contacted the seller not too long ago, she is pretty sure it is the 'Pachara' cultivar that she sold me.

It is about time yours bloomed for you. So how far along are the spikes? I too am very anxious to see it. I hope you bring it to one of the meetings when it does bloom.

[RedOrchid]

The spikes are still small, about and inch. I have been growing it it much cooler than before. I don't have it in vase culture, but it gets lots of attention. I take it outside in the morning and bring it back in at night if the temp is suppose to get below 55. I fertilize about twice a week and water it thoroughly twice a day. I don't think I treat my cat as nice!!!:

[greenbean]

Way to grow! I've seen lots of vase culture success stories. When I finally get a vanda, I'm going to have to try this.