Please help with new vanda

[Vanda lover]

I'm dying to try that method! It makes so much sense, with nothing to rot. From what I understand, you soak the roots of the plant for a while, in water with fertilizer, then drain off the water, except for a dibble in the bottom. Does that sound right?

Yes, it is about right, except that you probably can leave some water at the bottom if roots can't reach it, otherwise some of them will be touching the water constantly and from what I understood - it is not good.
I found a pitcher in the house with neck narrow enough for my seedling to sit without slipping down with no extra support. For now (from today's morning) I am filling vase up with water for 15 minutes early morning, then drain it out completely every day. I will see how it goes, I guess plant will let me know if the change of routine is needed.

[Vanda lover]

I would imagine that the roots would eventually fill the vase right up, and that you would have to rinse the roots daily, which could be a problem.

[BobInBonita]

It sounds like you are well on the road, with a good understanding of the technique. Just make sure it gets enough bright light. In Canada during winter I'm imagining you will probably need either direct sun or supplemental lighting.
You refer to them as seedlings - if that's true you've got a bit of growth to go, and will need to watch the humidity closely until they get established.
Good luck and post a picture if you can.

[Vanda lover]

Enough winter light can be a problem in some parts of Canada. When we lived in Ontario, we got fairly good winter light. Here on Vancouver Island, the winters are dull and I move my Vanda from window to window to follow the sun. It's worth it though! It blooms a good part of the winter, again in June, then late August.

[Mikeg]

Originally Posted by 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.

We have the fish tanks...A 55 gallon freshwater and a 225 saltwater with metal halides. I have been growing soome orchids in there on a ledge as it gets high temps, humudity, and light and my NOID Den. has been loving it there. And the tanks are both within 10 feet of the wood stove...I might have to do the kettle thing.

[Mikeg]

Originally Posted by 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.

Do you remember what this stuff was called? I would love to try it!

[Vanda lover]

Hi Mike,
I'm not sure what you are refering to. Is it the plastic to seal off an area? You can buy that at a hardware store.
Nancy [Vancouver Island]

Here she is during "drinking time". The light shouldn't be a problem, I put her facing south -east window beside my adenium seedlings - they love sun too.

[Vanda lover]

That's a nice pitcher, and because it widens at the top, that should add humidity. I think that for baby plants, this way of growing should work well. I can't picture a large Vanda grown this way.