Vanda Gordon Dillon X Dr. Anek

[Cjcorner]

I did my best to translate the tag on this monster...now give it a few days and we will know if I was correct. I stopped at a greenhouse I go to from time to time. Last year they had rats chew the tops out of every last Vanda they had in stock. They saved some and this one is the best of the lot. It is in spike, has two more coming along, as well as a couple keikeis. This doorway, btw, is 4 ft wide...to give perspective as to how large a plant this is....



You can see in this picture; the original top the rats chewed, and where the new plantlet grew out. I'll make sure and update when it blooms.

[sarahrm]

That is really big, and it sure is bending a lot. I wonder if it will eventually break or snap from hanging to one side.

[Cjcorner]

I hadn't thought of that. Maybe i'll get a second basket with hangar to support the new section. Thanks....

[ManilaByNight]

Ooooh the flowers on that Vanda must be beautiful since I recall an orchid breeder-friend of mine told me a long time ago that Dr. Anek is a very good parent which has very large, dark flowers and it's chromosomal ploidy is high which imparts good substance and size.

Bad rats though. Here in my grow area, I experience some problems with mice where they tend to occasionally burrow inside some of my large hanging pots (mostly on my cattleyas) where they create a nest. Perhaps because it is cool. Then they chew on the roots from underneath. I only notice when I see some plant appearing not to look good or slightly shriveled up. Then I attempt to water it heavily as in heavily flushing it with water, then I would notice the mum and dad mice suddenly come out all soaking wet trying to escape the artificial deluge I've created. That's when I realize that particular plant has been a subject of attack. I then take the plant down and it is only then I discover a tunnel formed at the top of the potting medium. I pull out the plant whole and all their tiny little critters start running away (and all soaking wet). Geesh!

I'm thinking of now using some mouse bait around like coumarin or something that is resistant to water.

[Cjcorner]

Allow me to say, ICK. Mice running everywhere would have me making screaming noises! I'd never heard of them burrowing in pots...maybe that is what keeps upending one of my den's outside. Hmm....

[delphiguy]

Im sure it'll be a very pretty flower especially with the Gordon Dillon in it. Im lucky since
we dont have too much rats at our place.... and besides the dogs will definitely chase them
away....

[ManilaByNight]

Allow me to say, ICK. Mice running everywhere would have me making screaming noises! I'd never heard of them burrowing in pots...maybe that is what keeps upending one of my den's outside. Hmm....

I notice the mice here like to burrow mostly in the closed pots that use crushed tree fern or coconut fiber as the medium. Sometimes in sphagnmum moss.

Funny because the mice seem to "remember" and seem to have a favorite pot. The plant I mentioned was "attacked" the second time around and I suspect these are the same parents. The first time, I simply threw out the old potting media they ravaged and replaced it with a fresh batch. It think they like that particular pot because of the scent they might have left on it.

So what I did was I changed the potting media with LECA pellets instead (the one used for semi-hydro). The mice no longer visit the plant(s) affected after I made the switch. Perhaps because they're not as moist and cool as before and also the LECA pellets are hard.

Strange mice. Now where are my mice bait???

[catttan]

Congrats Connie for saving the plant and getting a bonus of extra keikis. Gordon Dillon x Dr Anek is going to be awesome with very good form and intense colour ; could be grape or blue. Can't wait to see a picture of it when it blooms. Please post.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Connie, that is so pretty. AND - I would be screaming too if I found a bunch of mice inside an orchid pot, so you are not alone there!

I would not worry too much about the vanda breaking from growing the way it is. We have some vandas that are huge and grow that way. somehow they support themselves and where the bends are, usually they produce another plant that we just let continue to grow there. If you see it starting to sag, just take some florial tie wire (like you use to tie your plants to the orchid stakes) and make an open loop and then tie it off to a stake in the other side of the basket or to the wall, etc.. depending on where you grow. Good luck!! I cannot wait to see what the blooms on this one will be.

Cheers,
BD