First Vanda Rebloom Spike- What to do.

[Shep]

Last November, my fiancee brought home a Silver Vase NOID great big purple Vanda. It overwintered in a south facing window in the vase and I moved it to a slat basket without any media when it went outside in April. Once I found a good spot for it to hang out in a Japanese Maple, it grew and did its thing. Now it's putting out a spike!

Currently, I'm watering it daily in the morning and fertilizing it weakly weekly. From what I have read, it wouldn't hurt to fertilize it every other day or even daily.

So, what should I expect next? How long will it take to bloom? Any dos and don'ts to prevent bud blast?

We're super excited. As newer collectors, reblooms under our watch make us feel like we're doing something right. Any advice is appreciated. Hopefully photos will follow.

[jason45244]

I soak my vanda roots every morning in a bucket of water when I change the water (weekly) in the bucket I use a 1/4 strength fertilizer into the bucket. I don't know if this is the best to do but they are very alive. I got a spike a few weeks ago but it is slow, I mean very slow growing. Any pics? How big is your spike? I'm just getting into vandas myself.

[Shep]

The spike on our Vanda seems to be growing somewhat quickly. However, the angle of the sun is changing and it is currently getting direct sunlight from 8 a.m. until about 11 a.m., then mottled sun until dusk- so close to ideal light for a Vanda, from what I've read. I'd imagine it is sucking up light and nutrients as quickly as it can.

It's dark outside now, but I'll try and get some photos tomorrow.

[Mandy2705]

Congratulations! I had my first vanda earlier this year it was an amazing feeling

[LovePhals]

Congrats on the spike! That's exciting!
Jason- Do you soak multiple vanda roots within the same bucket, or each vanda has a different bucket. I really like this idea, but I worry about disiese spread. It sound like it would work well if you know your plants are clean.

[turock]

Congratulations, all of you! Vandas are so bold, exotic and rewarding for those who put in the extra effort required to keep them happy. It sounds like you are giving them the care they need!

My vandas take about 1 - 1.5 months from the time I first notice a spike forming to the time the first bud opens. Spike development time is affected by the type of vanda, and possibly the growing conditions and the maturity of the plant.

To avoid bud blast, keep the plant from extremes, and try to keep its growing conditions stable as long as possible. Also, keep it free from sucking insects, like aphids and thrips.

I wouldn't worry about it too much, though. Vandas are pretty tough, in my experience. Earlier this summer I was growing one in full sun, all day, in 90 degree weather. It tried to warn me that it was getting heat stressed. Its leaves turned yellow and got kind of wrinkly. I didn't listen and it blasted 4 buds, but still managed to bloom 4 more successfully. Now that I've come to my senses and moved it into more appropriate partial shade, it's putting out two more spikes!

These plants are greedy, and grow like crazy, so they'll use all the (diluted) fertilizer you give them! I fertilize every third watering. I don't have a good balanced fertilizer, so I just alternate between a "grow-booster" (high nitrogen) and a "bloom booster" (high phosphorus), diluted down to 1/4th the recommended dosage. When it's in spike or in bloom, I use the bloom fertilizer twice as often.

Can't wait to see those pics! Grow, vandas, grow!

[jason45244]

Originally Posted by LovePhals

Congrats on the spike! That's exciting!
Jason- Do you soak multiple vanda roots within the same bucket, or each vanda has a different bucket. I really like this idea, but I worry about disiese spread. It sound like it would work well if you know your plants are clean.

I only have the two vandas (Aerides lawrenceae x Vanda Sasicha) and (Pachara Delight) but do I use the same bucket. Now that you mentioned disease I am gonna worry a little bit. I have been doing it for over a year now and it's been ok. Mine are grown indoors too.

[turock]

I agree with LovePhals.

I dunk my vandas into the same bucket to fertilize, but only after I carefully inspect the plant for any unusual spots, wilting, or other signs of sickness. But, even with careful inspection, you will increase your chances of spreading diseases by watering plants in the same vessel, or even by allowing water to splash or pour out of one plant's container and into another.

I haven't yet figured out another way to fertilize my large, unruly vandas without wasting many gallons of water and fertilizer every few days.

[LovePhals]

Yep, I currently just probably waste too much water, but will try that idea after I virus test them just to be sure. Thanks for the ideas! (For some piece of mind I did virus testing on a lot of my plants recently and the only ones that came up virus looked suspicious) my others were clean. So most likely if it looks healthy it is. Just remember, most likely

[My Green Pets]

I'll second the comment about Vandas being tough. Mine are kind of getting fried in the late summer sun, but that spurs more blooms.

I spray them with the hose daily and give them orchid fertilizer at recommended strength at least once a week.

In my experience Vandas are the fastest orchids in terms of first nub to full bloom--about one month for me.