Please help with new vanda

[Vanda lover]

Yes, thats it. There are a lot of kinds on the market, some of them aren't very expensive. I once bought one that was meant for babies, so that I could take it along when we stayed in hotels with our parrot, who needed humidity.

[Pilot]

I use a vicks vapor humidifier-- but I live in Colorado, so I only use it during the Winter. During the summer it is just as dry but impossible to keep the solarium cool enough without windows open.

Oh and I also use the vase method-- check out of the Neo forum, too. I have several photos documenting "some" successes I've had using this method. My neostylis is currently exploding in slow-motion with root growth.

[Mikeg]

Originally Posted by Pilot

I use a vicks vapor humidifier-- but I live in Colorado, so I only use it during the Winter. During the summer it is just as dry but impossible to keep the solarium cool enough without windows open.

Oh and I also use the vase method-- check out of the Neo forum, too. I have several photos documenting "some" successes I've had using this method. My neostylis is currently exploding in slow-motion with root growth.

I saw that thread and was gonna do once I got a vanda and a neo! thanks for telling me it works so well!

[Mikeg]

Originally Posted by Vanda lover

Yes, thats it. There are a lot of kinds on the market, some of them aren't very expensive. I once bought one that was meant for babies, so that I could take it along when we stayed in hotels with our parrot, who needed humidity.

That makes sense! I think I will move all my orchids to my room and set up the vicks thing....And then search for a cheap humidifier! Thanks!

[Vanda lover]

Another thing that can be done, is to put pots or kettles of water on top of the woodstove. They actually sell kettles that are meant for humidity. You'll find that you get sick less often if your mucus membranes don't dry out so much.

[Mikeg]

...Really? And that keeps the house more humid?

[Vanda lover]

Yes. I even used to dry all of our laundry by the wood stove, and there would be moisure on the windows. A fish tank in the room helps too.

[BobInBonita]

Having lived in Minneapolis where the winter temperatures and humidities were much lower, I can assure you it is not necessarily a loosing battle. You just have to adjust your growing practice to the conditions.
It would have been nearly impossible to bring the entire house up to ideal growing humidity, but a single closed off room is easier (if you can heat it). An enclosure (wooden frame with plastic stapled to it) within the room is easier yet to humidify. 3M used to make a plastic window insulation that was clear as glass after you shrunk it with a hair dryer.

I didn't grow Vandas at the time, but had good luck with phals this way. In some ways the rapid drying is what Vandas like, so it might not be as bad as you think. Just try it and watch the roots.

Most everyone has talked about moisture and humidity, but make sure you provide enough light. That would have been a bigger problem for me in Minnesota, and you are as far north and probably more cloudy. You will probably need supplemental light.

[Vanda lover]

That does work well, if you have the space. A fan can be pretty important for air circulation, though.

Thank you all for the information. I have read through the vanda forum and was intrigued by the glass vase method. As a result I pulled my seedling out from the basket, established it into a glass container with narrow top and wide bottom and put it on the desk against south-east window.
Will see if it works out.
On the side note, after browsing through all the pictures of vandas beautifully flowering in a vase I went and ordered more seedlings, this time ascocendas...