Vanda and moss - Orchid Board

hanzy08 · #1 03-30-2014, 07:48 PM

I received a vanda potted similarly with other orchids on a loose small pieces of bark and spongerock. It is a well drained and airy mix but I don't know what's going on in the core and underneath and I didn't like the green plastic pot it came with. When i unpotted, there were several dead roots cause it was too moist in the center while the top is dry. I don't have the space to hang it so it was out of the equation. To make it work, i got a 6" plastic pot and simply stuck it in snuggly with no media. After two hours, I was surprised to see how fast the roots dried and they were all white. I soaked some moss for an hour then squeezed excess water out and simply spread the moss around and in between the roots wedging them very LOOSELY around the plant basically just looks like moss grew on an orchid. It helped retained moisture but still very airy at the same time. Still yet to see how it works in the long run.
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Bud · #2 03-31-2014, 03:35 PM

Use the Spanish moss kind for your Vanda plant if you are worried about humidity in your environment. That kind of moss you used will invite fungi and bacteria that might infest your plant.
You have to provide us with your grow zone, the sunlight location of the plant and your humidity and temperature.
Your Vanda is healthy and the roots are robust. The roots turn white easily but the inner sponge like layer still retains water....that is why you water bare root Vandas everyday and twice a day if the temperature is high (90F to 100F = in the summer heat wave)

Fairorchids · #3 03-31-2014, 06:50 PM

It all depends upon how frequently you can or want to water. I water once a week (in summer we try to get another watering in mid-week), so I have to grow in mix.

For smaller Vandas (4" basket), I use 2/3 moss and 1/3 bark/charcoal. for larger plants I use about equal parts moss & bark/charcoal, but always packed as tight as I can.

Plants do fine in this material.

hanzy08 · #4 03-31-2014, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bud

Use the Spanish moss kind for your Vanda plant if you are worried about humidity in your environment. That kind of moss you used will invite fungi and bacteria that might infest your plant.
You have to provide us with your grow zone, the sunlight location of the plant and your humidity and temperature.
Your Vanda is healthy and the roots are robust. The roots turn white easily but the inner sponge like layer still retains water....that is why you water bare root Vandas everyday and twice a day if the temperature is high (90F to 100F = in the summer heat wave)

Thank you for your input bud! I just get the impression that they are dry and thirsty once the roots turn white because they have no bulbs to store excess water. the air inside my apartment is dry and I have a fan that circulates air most of the time. I'm worried too that when I take them out when it gets warmer they will dry out really quick and I don't have the luxury of time to water twice a day. I haven't tried Spanish moss but I will check it out.

---------- Post added at 06:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:21 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairorchids

It all depends upon how frequently you can or want to water. I water once a week (in summer we try to get another watering in mid-week), so I have to grow in mix.

For smaller Vandas (4" basket), I use 2/3 moss and 1/3 bark/charcoal. for larger plants I use about equal parts moss & bark/charcoal, but always packed as tight as I can.

Plants do fine in this material.

my plant was planted in that kind of medium too when I got it and I have no experience with vandas yet so I didn't know what's going on underneath and wanted to check the roots for myself too to get familiar with it then adjust watering as necessary. your plant looks healthy and you already know when to water.

GeorgiaVL · #5 03-31-2014, 08:36 PM

If you plan on keeping this type of moss for your Vanda, you might want to consider moving it to a 6 inch porous pot; then add some small net pots or some packing peanuts around the plant, up to about 2 inches from the lip of the pot. You do this to provide structure before the moss loosely around your plant and should look like the picture posted below. I got this idea from another forum posted by a member who also supplies Vanda to stores. Not sure about long term, but my plants are happy. I water once the moss is crispy dry to the touch. I too keep a fan the is on 24/7. I have my Vandas in front of a east facing window.

Eventually, you have to do what works best for your growing environment and for your plants health and happiness.

GeorgiaVL · #6 03-31-2014, 08:38 PM

Here's a group picture of my Vandas

hanzy08 · #7 03-31-2014, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgiaVL

If you plan on keeping this type of moss for your Vanda, you might want to consider moving it to a 6 inch porous pot; then add some small net pots or some packing peanuts around the plant, up to about 2 inches from the lip of the pot. You do this to provide structure before the moss loosely around your plant and should look like the picture posted below. I got this idea from another forum posted by a member who also supplies Vanda to stores. Not sure about long term, but my plants are happy. I water once the moss is crispy dry to the touch. I too keep a fan the is on 24/7. I have my Vandas in front of a east facing window.

Eventually, you have to do what works best for your growing environment and for your plants health and happiness.

that's interesting. I was thinking of using a clay pot too but all I had was the 6" plastic pot. I like seeing the roots. I can sleep better at night LOL!