Ready for Vanda?

[zachkent29]

Hello all!

I have been thinking it's time to get my first Vanda. But, I wanted to be sure I was covering all the bases before I did. I had spoken to a few people who said they were slightly harder to grow than the plants I have now (2 Cattleya's, Laelia, and 4 Phal's).

The reason for this post is to find out if there's anything specific I should know before I get one. Fyi, I'm planning on using the vase culture methods many people on here use.

Also, please list (or show!) some of your favorite Vanda's so I can decide which one I want. I've seen so many and can't pick a favorite..

Thanks in advance for your help!

[tucker85]

To bloom vandas you need strong light. They need plenty of moisture and regular fertilizing. I've never used the vase method but apparently people have success with it.

I would recommend buying an ascocenda. They bloom more often than actual vandas and many of them are more compact.

One of my all time favorites is Ascda. Suksamran Sunlight. It's a beautiful yellow/orange color. It's more compact than many of the others and it blooms as much or more than other vanda types.

[zachkent29]

Thanks! That is a beautiful orchid!

[nenella]

I agree with Tucker,
My ascocenda blooms 4/5 times a year. I used to grow her bare root in vase. I have since put her into a plastic basket with some chunks of bark & cork bits. the plastic basket sits at the top of the vase. She's liking it as throwing out a lot of new root growth.

[Susie11]

I have just -one month ago- got a beautiful blue coerulea which I grow in a vase. It is blooming size although it has yet to bloom for me. Coeruleas need less warmth than other kinds, they are cold tolerant and many other vandas have coerulea in them. I have noticed alot of new root growth since it has been in the vase.

[Bud]

I am surprised to have success in growing classic Vandas species on my south facing windowsill and south facing fire escape (in the summers) on S/H method, on basket mounts and vase culture. You may look at my photo album for my favorite Vandas and Vandacious plants ...
you didnt list your grow zone and the environment you plan to grow your Vandas....the temperature of the room, the humidity and air flow

[zachkent29]

Thanks for your help!

To answer your question.. I am in Georgia, the window receives 2,000-3,000 FC's daily, it is 78-80 degrees during the day and 70 at night (Fahrenheit), there is a ceiling fan constantly going and I'm not sure about the humidity...I've been meaning to get a hygrometer.

[trdyl]

I currently have a have a few in vase culture which are blooming size V. Pachara Delight, V. tessellata, and a Rhynchostylis gigantea alba plus a couple of other seedlings which are doing quite well for me. My humidity is very low 10-30% which is why I tryed vase culture to begin with which keeps humidity very high around the roots in the vase. They get 2000 to 8000 FCs in southern or western windows daily depending on cloud cover.

[Bud]

You can grow Vandas outdoors under a shady tree in the warm months....I was in Atlanta early spring/ summer and it was hot and humid and frost came mid November just before Thanksgiving.... you need to get all orchids indoors 2 weeks before the frost comes.
Some Vandas cannot stand below 60F temperatures....
I think you will love Vada Coerulea (the light blue var) and some Vandas that are fragrant...
Mokaras with its large flat flowers in vivid colors .... they can gradually be weened to direct sun .... need a lot of feeding and drinking in the warm months.
....some terete Vandas can grow from the floor up to your ceiling

I go to the library and look at flower pictures of Vandacious orchids...and then I list down the ones I like to care for....and if I see them being sold: I grab them before anyone else gets them....