vandas

[vicki]

I live in canada so I have my plants under lights in the house. I have catts., phalaenopsis,dendrobiums and a few lady slippers. The all do well and have had all rebloom except catts. and I want to add Vandas to my collection. I dont know if I have enough light for them and my humidity is around 60%. I need as much info as I can get before I purchase one.I am willing to buy more lights and also increase humidity. Any other suggestions welcomed.

[sand_tiger86]

Well, if you can't rebloom a catt then a vanda is certainly out of the question. Vandas can take nearly full sun.

[vicki]

Then what would you suggest ? Increasing the light? I can get Catts to grow quite well but I have only had them for about a year and have been moved quite abit.

[kfir from israel]

vanda will grow and flower allmost anywhere
my blue vanda flower in my living room in my kitchen outside and in my g-house
if u realy want a vanda iwould recomand the blue hybrid(the eazyest to flower)verry strong plant-give as much light as u can
thos blue vandas will handle the cold weather of canada too
good luck

[Orchids of Mallard Bay]

I have had two vandas die very soon after purchase. Yet I am growing phals, cats, brass, vanilla etc and multitudes of greenery in my little greenhouse. The vandas, both were very mature and leaves turned yellow and dropped off. I spoke with the orchid folks and they said the usual, too much water or not enough...not much help

How does the corner of my greenhouse look? Like a jungle?

[cindiras]

Jane, I's take that greenhouse any day! Mine are in my basement under lights. It's just not the same as sunshine!

[Orchids of Mallard Bay]

Thank you kindly, Cindi! I grew them for 20+ years in windows and basement and just this past year decided it was time for a greenhouse. I love working in it...quite therapeutic!

[Dawn-oh]

The Vanda type plants vary hugely. It would be best to hit the encyclopedia Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia to see what might best suit your conditions. Also consider ascocentrum and rhynchostylis in your search. They are Vanda like and have remarkable flowers, as does ascofinetia and ascocenda. All grow alike more or less and I grow them successfully in brutal middle Minnesota. I have grow-light stands which are covered in a light plastic to keep in humidity. I set them outside in summer when the humidity is inhuman and they love it.
Good luck! And go for it!

[Orchids of Mallard Bay]

Thanks so much!

[Grandma M]

Vicki, I grow my vandas in my basement, under lights, and usually have one or two in bloom at a time. Right now I have Kasam's Delight X Dr Anek in bloom for the second time in a year.

I also have a Bankok Brown blooming for the first time. I think when the weather gets warm enough to mail, or take to my orchid club meeting, it will find a new home. For the first couple of weeks I found the fragrance not great, but not objectional. After waking each morning and being met with that fragrance before breakfast, I'm thinking of cutting off the flower stalk for now and finding a new home for it later. It becomes overpowering day after day, it's pretty but smelly. Fortunately it does not smell much in the evening. It likes my basement and grows like a weed.

Marilyn