Vanda flower spike update and Angraecum sesquipedale

[Mararda]

Hi,

I just want to show an update on the status of my Vanda flower spikes.
The Vanda Blue Magic Spike is now 11 cm in length, and Vanda Exotic Purple is 5 cm in length.

I have also acquired a species of orchid that I have been searching for since March this year after being enchanted by one at the RHS London Orchid Show. This is a 5 year old Angraecum sesquipedale (top two images), from a private nursery. It was the last remaining plant, and in need of some TLC. It was delivered bare root, and I have potted it into course back, with polystyrene chips for drainage. I will give it similar treatment to my Vanda orchids. Also, if one looks closely there is a little growth in between the lowest leaf axial that is closest to the root. This could perhaps be an emerging flower spike, what do you think? Anyway, I am really excited to have finally acquired this species.

[Katherine]

Congrats on the flower spike! post pictures when it blooms!

[BigSteve]

Cogratulations , fro the looks of the previous spikes looks like a reliable plant.

[stateless]

nice going on the vanda spikes, as for the Angraecum sesquipedale it is not the time of the year for mine to bloom, but you are in a different part of the world so that could make a difference.

[Mararda]

Thank you for the responses..however it has not really answered my question,,but I will wait and see. :-)

[stateless]

Angraecum sesquipedale is listed as a winter bloomer, yes it does look like a spike. When I first saw your 2 photos it looked different than my 2 plants, which have wider and a more grey/green color to the leaves, but I am no master of identification, I know that there are angraecums that flower at different times of the year. This is just my 2 cents, and that is probably what it is worth. I admire any indoor grower that has vandas, it's hard enough here in Florida where Mother Nature lends a hand, look forward to some bloom photos.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Cool! Looking forward to the blooms on these!

cheers,
BD

[ksriramkumar]

Hi Kate,

I have a question to you and other senior members of the forum on the way vanda is potted. I am a beginner so pls help me understand this. My understanding of potted vanda is that all the ariel roots should be outside the potting medium and should not be deep inside and could rot if the medium is wet but i see that in your vanda the entire plant is inside the bark medium. is yours a better practice or am i missing something?.

Sriram

[Mararda]

Hi Kate,

I have a question to you and other senior members of the forum on the way vanda is potted. I am a beginner so pls help me understand this. My understanding of potted vanda is that all the ariel roots should be outside the potting medium and should not be deep inside and could rot if the medium is wet but i see that in your vanda the entire plant is inside the bark medium. is yours a better practice or am i missing something?.

Sriram

Hi Sriram, thank you for the question. I am just an amateur however I have found that when growing Vandas indoors, then having them potted in course bark with polystyrene chips for drainage is by far the best way. My first Vanda (Blue Magic) was initially grown in a vase and I personally found it very challenging to constantly keep up the humidity that it required (it needed to be sprayed as often as physically possible), and it declined. As my orchid collection grew I transposed it into a pot, and it improved significantly; so much so that one would think it is a completely different plant! Therefore I would say yes, pot the majority of the Vandas roots in the course bark (if any dangle out of the pot it does not matter; never force the roots), and water twice weekly. I immerse the pots in water with some nutrient (just below the rim) and spray 2-3 times daily. Water every other day if the weather is hot and sunny, and when in active growth feed with every other watering. I keep my Vandas on a humidity tray on a west facing window (east is better, but that is the only option I have at the moment, or south, but shield from hot sun -obviously this varies depending on where you live).

Obviously Vandas are epiphytes and grow on trees in the wild, where they would receive enough light and humidity to satisfy their needs; therefore in cultivation growing in a green house bare root is best. However I do not have a greenhouse, and I personally consider pots to be the next best scenario. The bark must be course though, Vandas must have air around their roots, and do not over water either (they dislike having their 'feet,' permanently wet - it will lead to rot).

:-)

Also please bear in mind that I live in the UK, I notice that you live in India so you might be able to get away with keeping your plants outside (in a sheltered area, and off the ground to minimize pest attack), but not in the full sun. Also, they love rain water (as long as you live in an area that does not receive acid rain), and when it rains I put my Vandas outside for the day on a table (as long as it is warm enough - do not go below 15 degrees Celcius for a Vanda, the blues can tolerate it a bit cooler but it better to be safe than sorry).

[ksriramkumar]

Thank you Kate for sharing your vanda success stories. I agree with you the local climate/medium plays a major role in what medium is suitable. I grow my vandas in a potting media made out of mix of coco chips, charcoal and broken terracotta tiles and my vandas sit out in the open receiving about a couple of hours of partial sun. I do dunk the vandas once a week in water and feed them with a light fertiliser alternating with seaweed extract.

Happy growing