Vanda in Vermont

Hello,

I bought a Vanda about 3 weeks ago. It was before I knew very much about orchids (not that I know much now, but the learning curve seems to be pretty steep), and I found out later that Vandas need high heat and humidity, not something that we get very much here in Vermont.

I have been misting the orchid twice a day and soaking it once a week. I was going to use a Vanda basket, but I read that they dry out quickly so I potted it in a 6 inch clay pot with mostly corks and a little bit of bark and charcoal. When the orchid arrived (in the mail) it had two very long roots, which I sort of wound around inside the pot, securing them with corks.
It had a tiny little start of a spike under the third leaf down, which is still there, but seems to be shrivelling slightly. The leaves are still very green and look healthy (see attached picture).

So my main question is, am I doing anything wrong? Is there any way I can keep this orchid alive? It seemed like such a healthy plant when it came....I want to keep it that way if at all possible. I can keep the humidity in the room where it is at about 60% throughout the winter, but it stays about 55-65 F in there (in the winter. Right now it is in the 80's). I know I'm going to get a lecture about trying to raise a Vanda here in Vermont....

Please help me keep my orchid alive!

Anna

Attached Images

 

PS: I forgot to mention my Vanda's full title: Vanda Renantera Singapore.

You have a Renanthera. There is no vanda at all in there; however, culture is the same.

As long as temps are between 60-95 your renanthera will be happy. Grow it outside in very bright light (it can take full sun probably in Vermont if slowly acclimated). In the winter, put it in a South window and/or try some supplemental lighting. High humidity and bright light is key. I've seen Canadian growers produce some BEAUTIFUL renantheras and vandas. It is possible!

Your plant is beautiful. Its full name is Renanthera Singapore Botanic Gardens and is Renanthera Kalsom (philippinensis x storei) x bella. Lovely plant when in bloom:

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I took a taxi from LA to Venus in 1985.

Very nicely siad, Clint! And no lecture I was simply going to say that you should try growing it outside during the summer in almost full sunlight, but Clint certainly gave you a much better answer.

Cheers,
BD

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We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors....but they all exist very nicely in the same box. ...Hmmm? .

Thank you both! As you can see from the picture, I have it outdoors from time to time. I'll definitely put it out for longer now....

Good. It needs more light. The leaves appear very dark green and they should probably be a lighter green color with the right amount of light.

Best of luck to you.

Cheers,
BD

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RVO's OrchidTalk Forums - "Bringing People Together" Help support our Community: Donate or Become an OrchidTalk Subscriber today!
We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors....but they all exist very nicely in the same box. ...Hmmm? .

Hello,

My Renanthara orchid seems to be doing well since I've put it out on the porch every day when it's not raining. The spike shrivelled up and died but I noticed today after looking at it closely that there are roots starting to sprout out of almost every section where the leaves come into the stem. Way up on the stem, some of them.

Is this normal? Is it a sign that the roots in the pot aren't doing well, or does my orchid just like it here?

Attached Images

  

Vandaceous orchids throw roots all along the stem. This is completely normal. The spike abort was just a reflection of a change in growing environments and nothing to really worry about.

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I took a taxi from LA to Venus in 1985.

I have grown a couple here in upstate NY...I would have mine out during warm weather. but make sure you don't place it in full sun right away. If it is not used to it, you can burn the leaves, even on this one. In the winter, I would keep it in a west window, hanging from a tension poll. Every day or so, I would dip it in a bucket of water, letting the roots soak for 10 minutes and then hang it back into the window. It would bloom for me 2-3 times a year.

This orchid would do better in a basket than in a pot. The roots will rot in a pot unless the medium is very well draining, and yours does look like it would drain well.

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I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe.

Thank you. I was hoping to hear from someone who grows in my area. =) I searched the stores around here for baskets, but none of them carried them. So I just potted it in corks in a unglazed clay pot. Not an orchid pot, because I hadn't found a store that carried them yet. I have now. Thank for your advice!