Vanda Cindy Banks 'Bill's Choice'

[Picotee]

Originally Posted by ramonypony

Hi! About growing in vases, do you have the plants just sitting in there bare root and is there a stake or something holding them in place? I got a Cindy Banks off ebay from a seller in Florida as well! Got it about a month ago and I don't much like the way it looks, some of the leaves flop over instead of standing upright and it really bugs me. The roots are crazy long and all over the place. It's in a wooden basket and it has a keiki. The roots dry out super fast and I've been needing to water it two or three times a day (Texas heat) which is a hassle. I like the idea of vase growing. But would I need to remove it from the basket? The roots are really stuck on it. What if I used a clay pot instead of a glass vase? Do vanda roots perform photosynthesis? Millions of questions I have!

When the roots dry out, you might consider putting the plant (roots & basket) in a bucket and giving it a good long soak until the roots are as green as a Granny Smith apple.

[Vanda lover]

It may be difficult to remove the vanda from the basket without damaging it. I have been considering the same thing with a vasco that I have. Another thing you could do is to put sphagnum moss and chunks of charcoal around the roots. I find this useful for keeping the roots moist longer and you can tell if it needs watering if the moss is dry.
Vandas can be grown in clay pots but materials should be put in loosely so that it dries quickly. Chunks of lava rock would help.

[mjHuntingtonBeach]

If I don't miss my guess, you probably purchased from a seller otherwise known as Smiley Orchids in FL? I have bought from her twice, both times the plants were lanky, thin droopy leaves, long thin roots, probably caused by high density growing in a large crowded green house. The small vanda box they were both in was in both cases the small size, very easy to slide the dangling roots after pruning some of the longest and lankiest ones, plus the box into a large vase. I held it up with a cheap plastic covered rod from Home Depot's garden section tied to the plant with twist ties. That rod slips easily between the slats at the bottom of the vanda box. After a few months the lanky leaves start getting replaced by firmer healthier leaves and new roots grow out that are thicker and healthier. And being in a vase, you don't have to worry as much about drying out, and a daily spritzing with a spray bottle and weekly soakings with water keep the humidity up enough in the vase.

[ramonypony]

Originally Posted by mjHuntingtonBeach

If I don't miss my guess, you probably purchased from a seller otherwise known as Smiley Orchids in FL? I have bought from her twice, both times the plants were lanky, thin droopy leaves, long thin roots, probably caused by high density growing in a large crowded green house. The small vanda box they were both in was in both cases the small size, very easy to slide the dangling roots after pruning some of the longest and lankiest ones, plus the box into a large vase. I held it up with a cheap plastic covered rod from Home Depot's garden section tied to the plant with twist ties. That rod slips easily between the slats at the bottom of the vanda box. After a few months the lanky leaves start getting replaced by firmer healthier leaves and new roots grow out that are thicker and healthier. And being in a vase, you don't have to worry as much about drying out, and a daily spritzing with a spray bottle and weekly soakings with water keep the humidity up enough in the vase.

That wasn't the name of the seller. I don't think the basket mine is in will fit inside the vase I have, I may try to remove it and stake it up some other way. I've also considered hanging some spanish moss on the roots, I see some in your pictures, where did you find it?

[FSUOrchids]

So my Cindy Banks has had FOUR spikes already this year and has been blooming almost continuously since Jan/Feb. Had no idea it would be that prolific.

[ramonypony]

Originally Posted by FSUOrchids

So my Cindy Banks has had FOUR spikes already this year and has been blooming almost continuously since Jan/Feb. Had no idea it would be that prolific.

That's awesome! How do you care for yours?

[FSUOrchids]

I give it a lot of light, and we get a ton of humidity down here this time of year so that probably helps.