Growing Vanda Hybrids in the UK
 

Hello all

Newbe here (and for Vandas !)

I live in the North West of UK. My story is I bought four out of flower and over watered half dead vanda plants(in vases) from a local garden center last year on a discount (they were still expensive with a 50% discount). They were from ANCO. Out of curiosity I rang ANCO and the owner had a long chat with me a gave me a few tips. Well the tips were to keep them dry, hang them out in the garden in the summer if I want, water weekly and fertilise two weekly. This I did (at least when I remembered) except hanging them out in the garden. They were by the living room window. To my surprise three out of 4 of them are blooming now (two blues and one light yellow - there were no species names on any of them).
I am more interested in them now;). I think they deserve a bit of a treat. my questions are

Should I hang them out in the garden. Anybody in the UK that keep vandas out in the summer

Do you then take them inside when its heavy rain (you know the typical British summer stuff

How often and what way do you normally feed them.

What fertiliser do you use that could be bought in UK

Do you need incecticide/fungicide etc when the plants are out. If so what would you suggest

I hope the experts on the forum could give me some suggestions.
Many thanks in advance. I can upload some photos if that could help identification (they all had anco tags though
Regards

I know Rosie has grown these mean girls in the UK, so I'll let her chime in with her experience. I've grown Vandas too, but my experience won't be of much help since my conditions are so different. :)

Thank you Carl

I would think that anytime you have the luxury of cooperating weather to move them out for summer growing...it is a good thing. I would just follow a good preventive regime. Pretty much it would be a "stand back and watch'em grow"!!!

[QUOTE=Andy001;416859]Hello all

Newbe here (and for Vandas !)

IShould I hang them out in the garden. Anybody in the UK that keep vandas out in the summer

I live in Somerset (S.W. England) and put mine outside if the weather is warm with no cold wind. Take care that they are not in direct sun for too long as although they do like high light they can still burn. .

Do you then take them inside when its heavy rain (you know the typical British summer stuff

Rain will not hurt them unless they are in flower when heavy rain can damage the flowers

How often and what way do you normally feed them.

What fertiliser do you use that could be bought in UK

I use any fertilizer that is available in garden centres and use it at half strength. I fertilize every week in summer when the leaves are growing

Do you need incecticide/fungicide etc when the plants are out. If so what would you suggest

I find that the tough leaves deter most bugs but if I see any then I would use a chemical such as Bayer for Roses again from any garden centre.

As an extra I would say that watering just once a week for a plant with no potting material is not enough. Mine are in baskets and are sprayed daily in the summer but less in winter.

I agree that the tough leaves deter bugs. I have been hanging my vanda outside, here in Canada for years. I have never had a problem with insects on them, even when my other orchids have
.

Nancy

Thank you everybody. I would love to hear more advice from like minded people in the UK/EU