Looking at buying a Vanda Coerulea, need input.

[amandarenee]

I found a vanda coerulea for sale online, and WOW what a beautiful orchid! It has a leafspan of 8-10", so from what I can tell from the limited information online, it is near blooming size. But I can't really find any more info than this!

What kind of light does it need? Does it like to be consistently damp or allowed to dry out a bit between waterings? I live in a dry climate, so my orchids are kept in humidity dishes already, and I assume the vanda would need to be kept the same way.

My living room has a big window with southern exposure, so I keep my orchids in different spots in the room depending on what kind of light they need.

Also, I guess I should ask if this a difficult orchid to keep?

[Vanda lover]

I keep mine in and orchid basket, with chunks of charcoal and some sphagnum most. You want it to just barely dry out befor you water it again. In the winter, mine needs water about once a week, but I mist the roots in between waterings, especially if the air is dry. In the summer, I water every 3 days or so, lots of mistings and feed with every watering year round. Give it as much light as it can handle without burning it. They are pretty sun tolerant, if you be sure to protect them from the sunniest part of the day.
Nancy

Nancy

[trdyl]

Hi Amanda!

Growing it in a South facing window is feasible. But be prepared to water it daily if it is growing bare root or in a small basket and in the heat of the summer up to twice a day. Some people do grow them potted but can be tricky with watering. Vandas appreciate being watered and thier roots rapidly drying afterwards. I grow my tessellata in vase culture. Here sticky that you might like to look at Vandas in Glass Vases

[Vanda lover]

Thank you Ted, for the information on vase culture! I am planning to get a Vascostylis, and would like to give this method a try. I was thinking that it might be a good way to grow tricky orchids, such as Tolumnia.

Nancy

[trdyl]

Well, thank you Nancy! I had not thought about doing Tolumnias this way, hmm....

[Vanda lover]

I had Tolumnias years ago and found it difficult to get the watering right. They are such cute little things, and take so little space, that vase culture should be idea!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Lighting: indirect bright light

Temperatures: 36 F - 110 F

Humidity: 50% -80%

Air circulation: moderate to good air circulation

Growth slows down during the fall and winters.

Growth speeds up during spring through summer.

Slow grower, putting out only 2 to 3 leaves per growing season.

Root growth can be rapid.

I grow mine potted in a clear plastic orchid pot with medium or large grade wood chips outdoors all year round.

Fertilize every 2 wks.

Easy grower.

Charles and Margaret Baker also have a culture sheet on these if you want greater details.

Orchid Culture -- Charles and Margaret Baker

[amandarenee]

Thanks for the info everyone, I appreciate the help.

Ted--I found that thread not long after posting this one, and am VERY excited to give it a go! I think it will be a great option for keeping a vanda in my house, I live in a desert climate so humidity is often a problem for my plants.

[mollycart1]

If you don't mind, could you tell me where you found it? I have a tiny seedling, but would like to get a NBS plant. Thank you.

[Ray]

Vanda coerulea may tolerate warmth, but they do far better if grown on the cool side, so it could be a significant challenge down in Texas.