Vanda culture in Melbounre

[Eythan]

Three questions:
Can it be done?
How is it done?
Is it practical for an amature?

Melbourne is a weird climate; the usual orchid growth seasons from spring to autumn are interrupted by a bloody hot and dry summer (accompanied by wide-spread drought and water restrictions), so plants shut down and try to survive, rather than grow, but then the winter is the winter of a cool climate, with days at a time of dark and dank cloud cover, and in the dead of winter there's even frost! (needless to say plants also go dormant in our winters) autumn and spring have four seasons every day, so plants are usually fond of the over-all mix of rain and sun.

but back to the topic: i read and hear that vandas love sun, heat and water, which poses a problem for me, because the three are never happening all at once..
are there any melbournian (or people who understand melbourne's environment) vanda growers out there who can give me some tips on how to overcome (or at least manage) the problem of climate control? i have a shadehouse in my back yard, it's only small and has no air conditioning systems (or even fans) but phals, epis, coels, oncs and brassias seem to love it in there, but may be far too shady for vandas, and unheated in winter may proove too cold.. I also have a verandah at the back of my house where catts and dens thrive, but the cold cold cold is worse outside of the shadehouse..

when i first started collecting i once tried to grow a vanda seedling, but back then i had no idea what i was doing and killed it (along with a few other orchids )

i know i'm ranting, but when i saw the blooming vanda pachara delight in collectors' corner at last year's orchid spectacular i instantly fell in love and have since decided to give it another go, and i don't want to kill such a treasure.. again!

[Andrew]

I'm in Melbourne and have three warm growing Vanda (currently NFS seedlings) from a trade that I was too polite to turn down. I'm growing them outside high up in a shade house from October until April. When the minimum temperatures get down to about 10oC they are brought inside to a lightly shaded north facing window (an unshaded east facing window would probably be better but that isn't an option for me). They grow OK and are currently in spike (first flowering) although growth is slower as good as you'd get in a heated greenhouse. They would probably do better with additional indoor lighting.

While I haven't tried them Vanda coerulea and coerulea heavy hybrids are supposed to survive Melbourne winters well in a shadehouse. Presumably you'd need to hang them high and ease off the watering.

[Eythan]

thank you greatly

and how do you go with water, medium and fertiliser?

i don't usually fertilise my orchids, but i imagine i would have to if the thing was growing in mid air!

i will look into getting a coerulea, lovely blue vandas, and try a few things along these lines (and if it works, you bet there'll be pictures! )

[Roy]

Eythan, Andrew is spot on when he quoted V. coerulea for being cold tolerant. It and hybrids will hold up in the cold provided they are protected from frost & extreme cold. If you want to grow these plants, look at buying Ascocendas like Princess Mikassa. The Ascocendas are much easier to grow and flower than straight Vandas.

[Bolero]

This is a great thread, I have been wondering about this for a while myself.

If the Vanda is hanging in mid air and you mist it regularly you could include a small amount of fertiliser in the misting bottle. That would benefit the plant I am sure.

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[Roy]

Originally Posted by Bolero

If the Vanda is hanging in mid air and you mist it regularly you could include a small amount of fertiliser in the misting bottle. That would benefit the plant I am sure.

Darren, thats how its done in the tropics. The nurseries in Thailand water their plants by spray systems connected to a fertilizer system. Its the only way they can do it. They can have just water or fert' included.
I have to do it with a few Vandas etc that the root systems were too big for the basket I had. (pic)

[Bolero]

Thanks Roy, those plants look amazing!

I will have to get some and try it out. I haven't had luck with Aerides but I think with Vanda's it could be easier in this climate.

[Roy]

Darren, go for Ascocendas, they are far easier.

[Bolero]

Originally Posted by Roy

Darren, go for Ascocendas, they are far easier.

Ah yes sorry, that's what I meant but put the wrong name in..........;-)

The good thing about those as well is that they're smaller as well. Can you think of a good nursery?

[Roy]

Will send a PM.