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
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