Vanda care?

[Brownthumb10]

I posted in the beginner forum about looking for orchid recs for outside Looking for an orchid rec for outside...
Someone suggested vandas and after seeing pictures, I am sold. Basic internet searches on care have given me a lot of info. But I never know what is good information and what is bad. So, if you could, share with me vanda basics or at least point me to proper information. Thanks!

[NYCorchidman]

You can find much info on this website under vanda section. Many people grow them, especially Florida or those with greenhouse.
I've seen some grow them even in a vase!

Anyhow, basic vanda culture requirements are
: light, light, light! Vandas are among the orchids that need the strongest light to thrive.
Warmth that comes with light.

If you have cattleyas, you can grow vandas with the same light with success, but you can give them more and they will take it fine.

So, I will assume you refer to those large varieties.
You have probably seen them grown hung with their roots dangling down all over.

This is only for the growers with greenhouse or in tropical area where high humidity and frequent watering/rain shower is available.

Others can grow vandas potted up using chunky mix like largest grade bark, so you can water daily in the summer but drainage is perfect so the roots do not suffer.

So strong light for at least half day or preferably all day with warmth, and good watering, then vandas will be happy.

They just get too big for me.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

If you are looking to grow Vanda species, you must be very, very careful about the lighting situation.

Not every Vanda species likes bright light. I know of at least 2 species that would instantaneously burn if placed under bright light that Cattleyas thrive in. Generally speaking a lighting range of anywhere between moderately bright indirect light to bright indirect light is appreciated, and where the orchid falls within that range will oftentimes depend on the species.

Not all Vandas grow warm, particularly some of the species. I have been able to grow Vandas without a greenhouse, outdoors all year round for certain Vandas pretty reliably for years. Since the induction of the genus Neofinetia into Vanda, this is even more true. If I'm not mistaken, even a few Ascocentrum are now considered Vandas, and some of these do grow cool as well. Not to mention, Vanda coerulescens and Vanda coerulea are both tolerant of cooler conditions - and this is a known fact.

There are Vandas that also grow in intermediate temperatures. While yet others grow intermediate to warm.

Vandas can be grown a variety of ways. Find the one that suits you best.

Vandas like a good amount of moisture.

Vandas like a lot of air going to the roots. If it is wet and stagnant, watch the orchid die within 1 month.

Some are seasonal growers and have a definite rest period/dry spell.

Not all Vandas grow large, particularly some of the species Vandas. This is great, because that is one of the reasons why a lot of people don't grow Vandas. While there are certainly some Vandas that do get rather large, there are also small sized Vandas, do your research and find out which ones they are.

As you can see from my general notes, you are getting a fairly wide range of information and conditions, (which I understand can confuse people). If you want specifics, you need to be specific.

Which Vandas are you looking at?

[Brownthumb10]

Thanks for the replies. I am going to have to do a bit more research to find out which one is best for me. My catt and phals are all noIDs so this would be a big step up for me...how exciting! Thanks again!

[tucker85]

Where do you live? Vandas grow well in the south, where they can be grown outdoors. Growing in a bright greenhouse is also an option.

[Brownthumb10]

Originally Posted by tucker85

Where do you live? Vandas grow well in the south, where they can be grown outdoors. Growing in a bright greenhouse is also an option.

I am in west central florida.