Vanda ustii - Orchid Board

judith_arquette · #1 07-05-2014, 04:19 AM

This will be my first vanda and I'm SUPER excited. Anyone with experience, please share any/all advice you can think of. Thanks!
Also it says on the site that it's NOT blooming size and that it's approx 5" tall with a 7" leaf span. Does anyone know approx how long, under optimal conditions it would take this plant to bloom and how big will it need to get before it should bloom? Can you tell I'm excited??? lol

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #2 07-05-2014, 01:38 PM

It might bloom for the first time by the time it reaches 7 - 10 inches tall.

judith_arquette · #3 07-05-2014, 02:51 PM

About how long would that take under it's normal growing conditions?

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #4 07-05-2014, 07:17 PM

Could be 2 - 5 years, idk.

Vandas tend to be pretty slow growing relatively speaking.

When you're talking about Vandas, you must have patience. Do not expect expediency in the least bit. If I were you, I wouldn't hold your hopes up for seeing blooms by the 2 year mark. I would honestly not even think about it, so that way you will not be disappointed because the orchid didn't bloom by a specified time.

Vanda ustii is not one of the smaller Vandas, btw.

From my experience, if you just keep growing your orchid without any expectations of when you'll see blooms, you'll feel far more rewarded than if you just sat there pissed that the orchid didn't bloom within the timeframe that someone mentioned it should bloom.

Individual orchids will behave differently from one another even though they are within the same species, but they do have a range of similar behaviors that determine them to be within the same species, if you know what I mean.

If not, then I encourage you to try out buying multiple seed grown individuals of the same species, and you will understand what I mean.

OrchidLover1982 · #5 07-06-2014, 12:00 AM

Its a tough species of Vanda hard to go wrong with it. Grows well here outdoor with winter temps down to 1-2 C and flowers very well. One of my favourites.

Bud · #6 07-06-2014, 02:47 AM

at five inches tall it might be a 2 year old seedling. That is a Philippine Vanda named after a University founded by the Spaniards 500 years ago....it is a variant of Vanda luzonica. That will give you a fragrant 4 inches blooms. That can grow to four meters in 15 years.
I posted a thread of my Vanda luzonica a couple of years ago, that might guide you in terms of culture and care.... put it outdoors in the warm months and a week after labor day put it indoors on your brightest window preferably facing south.

nikkik · #7 07-06-2014, 10:34 AM

I bought this one about a year ago, it was the size yours currently is. It has grown well for me, but I would say that I am at least three years from blooming it. Based on it's size, I give this vanda a bit less sun and more bright shade than my blooming size plants. Even as a young plant, I really appreciate the leaves on this species.

OrchidLover1982 · #8 07-06-2014, 10:35 PM

My big ustii flowered 4 times in 6 months. I have never had a Vanda flowering like that. It just kept producing spike after spike and i'm not sure why.

judith_arquette · #9 07-07-2014, 05:49 AM

Philip, my only expectations are from myself, that I've learned enough here to not make it automatic that I'll kill the poor thing on my learning curve

I wanted to have an idea on the flowering so that I don't go mad every time in the next 2-3 years that there's a new growth, driving u all mad posting pics abt whether or not it's a spike lol So for now I'll say that unless I kill it and provided I can get it to thrive, I can start looking for a spike around 2017 or 2018. I can handle that

I must admit it's going to be hard waiting that long but until then I'll just have to suffice with celebrating each new root and leaf. SOOOOO EXCITED! It should be here weds. Thanks all for the responses!

---------- Post added at 04:49 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:46 AM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Vandas tend to be pretty slow growing relatively speaking.

If not, then I encourage you to try out buying multiple seed grown individuals of the same species, and you will understand what I mean.

GREAT idea! That may be my next purchase

Can u recommend a place? Hausermanns?

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #10 07-07-2014, 09:05 PM

I don't know of any places that offer Vandas at an affordable cost for you to purchase multiples from, without you having to purchase legal paperwork to acquire them legally.

I do know that I do have some selfings of some Vanda pumila that may be ready to be deflasked in a few months, idk. I have to check with the lab.

Vanda pumila is a smaller sized Vanda with nice, fragrant flowers that are 1" across. Very manageable and easy to grow orchid.