Vanda question: new to vandas, how to pot?

[SMS]

Hi All:

I was excited to purchase what I though was a potted Vanda start recently. However, the plant was actually a mass of roots with no substrate packed into a pot. The Plant is a V, Robert's Delight , Garnet Beauty, and has many strap -shaped leaves. I know some people grow Vanda is baskets, this is my first one, not sure what would be the best procedure.

Thanks,

Shelley

[stateless]

it all depends on where you're going to grow it, indoors or outdoors. I grow them outdoors so a basket or wire to stabilize is all that's needed and roots can hang free, water and drip dry, indoors there are several people here that grow in pots or vase culture and I hope one of them can help you more indoor info. Garnet Beauty is justly named.

[clintdawley]

San Francisco? I'd say just hang it outside when the night temps are above 55 and make sure it has a drink. Probably can take lots of sun there as well.

[Wade's Orchids]

I like what Clint says. About every two or three waterings, stick some fertilizer in with things. Trying to contain those arial roots won't work. When they have adapted to growing in the air, they die when put into a pot. If it dries too quickly, hang some spanish moss in the roots.

[orchidsal]

If you can try to keep your humidity up. If outdoors try to hang your Vanda over water, like a pond or larger bird bath and close above the water source also. You could also hang above a nice leafy bush and as you water the Vanda roots daily the bush will get sprayed down and increase humidity around the orchid. Vandas love and need hiumidity!! I don't know where in the East Bay area your at, but the closer to the San Francisco bay the better naturally for the plant humidity wise and temperature wise. Needless to say you can grow alot of things in the East Bay due to the relatively mild climates. Even Vandas will be more adaptable to your area than much of the rest of the U.S. Hope this helps! AL

[SMS]

Thank you all for your responses! Now, I am even more confused. I bought a basket, and will keep the plant indoors ( even during our current heat spell, nights here in Oakland are 45-52 degrees F). My question now is that the roots took on the shape of the plastic pot that the plant was in when I purchased it. Some are green and some are white-brown, do I detangle them, just place them in the basket? The plants leaves seem to be healthy, all I have been doing is spraying them .

Thanks again,

Shelley

[Wade's Orchids]

I would disturb them as little as possible but do what you need to do to get them in the basket. It would make the roots much more pliable if you soaked them in warm water for about 30 minutes. I'm a little worried about keeping enough humidity around the roots when you have it indoors. Do you have a humidifier that you could direct at it? If not you may want to pack NZ moss (large fibered) around the roots. Don't make it really tight though. Also, pack it between the slats in the basket. As Al said, Vandas love and need humidity especially around the root system. I have a lot of trouble with them inside during our winters. I guess we wouldn't raise orchids if we didn't want a challenge! Good luck.

[orchidsal]

I raise Vandas in a green house and even then they need more care than most other orchids I have. Wade's advice is well taken and try to get humidity up to at least 60% RH if you can. Get a good humidifier (Some are much better than others). If you need more details message me here on The Forum. Sorry, I do not mean to confuse you, but you have a orchid with some very specific needs that have to be met so it long term survives, let alone blooms for you. I would hate to have you not be equipped with the right information and kill Vandas as I did when I first purchased them years ago. All the best! AL