Vascostylis Blue Fairy

[catttan]

This Vascostylis is very free flowering. Unfortunately it has lost all the leaves in the lower half of the plant, a condition we refer to as 'kaki ayam' in Malay, which means 'chicken legs' i.e. bald leg with feathers on the thighs only - very much like a feather-duster. I think it's time to top cut it and replant. It also has a decent sized keiki.

[claypothead]

Very pretty.

[Halloamey]

Ooh ! This one is pretty ! I love vascos, they offer such nice colors and shapes without affecting flower numbers !

[Kmac]

ooh, what color! Gorgeous, Yew.

[angel]

I have my own share of "kaki ayam" too, Yew Sung. And I never know quite what to do with them. You're lucky you managed to catch the true color of this orchid in this photo. In my experience, the true color of vandas of this shade (rich violet or purple, dark violet, purplish fuchsia) is difficult to catch on film or digital. It always comes out a bit different.

[gardenguysorchids]

Love the color! Need shades on to look at it very long. LOL

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Man, the color on this orchid is so intense. I love it!! WOW!

Cheers,
BD

[catttan]

I have my own share of "kaki ayam" too, Yew Sung. And I never know quite what to do with them. You're lucky you managed to catch the true color of this orchid in this photo. In my experience, the true color of vandas of this shade (rich violet or purple, dark violet, purplish fuchsia) is difficult to catch on film or digital. It always comes out a bit different.

This is one of the vandas from an older batch and there is another one with the same 'kaki ayam' problem. The Thais never seem to have this problem even with strap-leaved vandas of more than a metre tall. They tell me that the area below the plants must be kept moist all the time so that there is constant high humidity especially around the trailing roots. I now keep potted ferns and anthuriums and other plants below the strap-leaved vandas and for the last 3 years the 'kaki ayam' problem seems to have stayed away (keeping fingers crossed). This also means I have to use fungicide and insecticide more frequently. A fair trade-off , I think.

[orchidsal]

Gorgeous flowers Yew! Your cultural information is also of interest. AL

[angel]

Thanks Yew for the info. I'll see what works best with my set-up.