My Crazy Vandas - Page 5 - Orchid Board

Neverend · #41 04-15-2008, 08:59 AM

Woah, how do you give the plants enough light and humidity?

Grandma M · #42 04-15-2008, 11:26 AM

Shams - - Isn't it fun to watch those huge, fat roots develop? Not quite, but almost as much fun as watching a flower bud.

Neverend - - I grow my vandas in my basement under lights. I put rather large chunks of lava rock (from Lowes) in my pots to help keep the moisture in. It aslo helps to stabilize the plant. I wasn't sure if they held moisture so I soaked some overnight. I put them on a scale before and after soaking them. They did weigh more after soaking and it took more than a day before the were the same as before the soaking. I used about the same amount of the lava rock as I put into a 6" wood basket when I pot up my Vanda/Ascda. On my small ones I add a bit of cocoanut fiber, loosly, to the top to help hold the moisture in.

I ran out of coconut fiber so I just bought a cheap basket liner (of coconut fiber) from Lowes and shredd some of it as I need it. I soak it to be sure it is clean. BTW the fiber does not retain moisture itself, it only helps to hold the moisture in the lava rock longer.
Marilyn

shams · #43 04-15-2008, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neverend

Woah, how do you give the plants enough light and humidity?

They hang in the kitchen near the windows

. They also get misted twice daily, or soaked for 20 minutes to an hour. That's it

shams · #44 04-15-2008, 06:37 PM

It sure is Grandma! I'm itching for spikes. Hopefully one will appear soon

shams · #45 06-24-2008, 08:45 PM

Good grief! I went outside today to check on the plants (it's been raining for a week, and the orchids have been outside) and what do I find on my Ascda Leenachai x V. Adisale that I've resolved is going to fail??? FOUR keiki growths!

Guess it was dropping so many leaves because it wanted babies......

mindy1 · #46 10-01-2008, 03:21 AM

Wow!! Your vanda's are beautiful. I have to bring mine in for the fall and winter very soon.

shams · #47 10-01-2008, 09:29 AM

We have buds!!

Asctm Lilac Blossom and Ascda Princess Mikasa

Buds! · #48 10-01-2008, 10:11 AM

Hi Niki,
Congrats!
We can't wait to see the blooms!
Juliet

Swamper · #49 10-01-2008, 11:00 AM

That's very impressive Niki. You give a lot of hope to indoor growers.
Honestly , as I read this thread from the beginning and saw you were in Canada I was like yeah but let's see what it's doing now, sorry for doubting you LOL Anyway it was great to see them doing so well. The leaves have a great color, the roots look awesome and they're spiking again!!!! Congratulations!!!

Leisurely · #50 10-01-2008, 12:00 PM

Not only do you have buds, you have oooodles of them. Is the first plant an ascocenda? I have never seen so many buds on a spike and I live in Florida. You are obviously supplying all of the plants needs.