A bit of a Vanda predicament

[sand_tiger86]

I guess this is a kind of a high-brow problem, but my potted Vanda seems to be loving life a little too much. The roots are really branching and going everywhere. It's not a big problem right now, but they'll only get longer and longer. Do potted Vandas understand when they're potted and not get those gigantic rambling roots that the ones in baskets get? Or will they end up like that (therefore defeating the purpose of being potted at all) inevitably? I'm not sure what to do...it's literally been potted for about two months and had almost no roots at the time and now look at it! I can't repot it ever as it's in clay and pulling the roots away would surly ruin it for life. Maybe just eventually take the pot and put it in an even larger pot? That would get incredibly heavy after a few times, though.

[orchidsal]

This is why I hate potting up Vanda's. Eventually your going to either repot up and yes this can be hard on the roots, or get it out of the pot and put it in a Vanda wood basket with large chunks of bark, charcoal, or other large medium if your trying to retain a bit of moisture. I just let my Vandas hang free, but you generally have to water more (maybe two to three times a day in your hot climate). I have one Vanda that came in a 4 inch Vanda basket ( Online purchase) with medium bark in it. For now the Vanda's doing great, but I know that one day I will have to literally saw off the basket and do as little root damage as possible when I have to do this. Many of those expanding roots may end up sustaining your Vanda's intake system when you do repot, etc. In this way those roots maybe the best possible thing going for your orchid longer term. I hope someone has a better solution..................AL

[sand_tiger86]

Well, I wouldn't have a problem with basket culture...EXCEPT that I'll have to bring the Vandas in for a few months when it gets cold out. It'd be very hard to water a Vanda in a basket without it dripping everywhere and ruining my carpet. That's why I figured potting would be easier, but it seems like basket or pot, a Vanda is going to be a Vanda. I've just seen photos of full-sized, pot-grown Vandas which stay within their confinements.

[orchidsal]

Sand tiger, I use large plastic storage containers and 'dunk' water my Vandas that way. I have 18 and 10 galleon containers, but unless your planning more and bigger Vandas a 5 galleon should do well or maybe the shower, bath tub, or kitchen sink? AL

[sand_tiger86]

That's would I would do as well, but they still drip while they're drying off.

[cdayinflorida]

I saw this somewhere...soak your vanda and then open a small umbrella and hook the handle to the side of the basket it will catch drips and runoff.

The vanda looks good.

[tucker85]

If you're going to grow vandas you need to get used to lots of roots. It comes with the territory. Maybe you could hang them over the bathtub when you water indoors. I also see some growers having success with vase culture but I don't have any experience with that. You could research it.

[orchids^_^]

ditto to above, Vandas can be very messy, with all the branching roots. if it really becomes a problem,you could use vase culture, I heard that works well. It looks great! Good luck!

[cakedaddy]

I use stainless steel metro shelving for my plants indoors. I place a shelf a few inches underneath the shelf plants are on and fill it with cheap plastic seed starting trays. Gives my plants a makeshift humidity tray and helps my carpet stay clean. You could always put a bucket under the vanda...who doesn't ever wish they had a bucket handy? Comes in handy for mixing fertilizer too.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Gage]

Your Vanda looks quite happy! Although I think the color of the leaves looks a bit dark. You will probably need to increase the light in order to bloom it, but maybe not, depending on its lineage. Yes, eventually you will have to manage long sprawling roots. If you are planning on growing it on carpet in the long run, I think vase culture would be extremely practical for you. But the way you are doing it now with the lava rocks will probably make for a bit happier plant (depending on the routine you work out with vase culture), albeit with more to manage as far as trying not to drip the carpet. Soaking in a bucket or the sink and then letting it drip in an empty bucket or the sink will be your best bet in the event you continue keeping it potted. Good luck and congrats on a happy, healthy plant!