Vanda Basket Media / Stablilization

[aribh123]

I was looking for some media for my vanda baskets to stabilize the plants and prevent them from wobbling around too much - especially the ones with smaller root systems. I was thinking extra large lava rock chunks but when I tested them by soaking, they stayed damp overnight and I'm afraid that the evaporative cooling would damage the roots of at least the warm growers. So now I'm thinking maybe some more solid type rocks that aren't as porous and don't hold water like the lava rock, perhaps some more decorative type stones. What do you use if you have media and if you dont't then how do you stablize the vandas with smaller root systems?

[Chris in Hamilton]

I've never seen media used in my area. Just a wire hanger attached to the the inside of the middle of the basket and the plant tied to that. It needs to be 6-12" longer than the plant so it can be hung without damaging the plant.

[raybark]

I grew most of my vandas in baskets with no potting media. The plants were anchored to the basket with plastic-coated wire or twist ties. Once they grew enough roots to stabilize themselves, I simply removed the wire.

[Sheryl]

Ditto! No media necessary.

[JDT]

I have used all the same as mentioned above. All of my Vanda's except one or two are in baskets, I attach them to S-hooks and hang them!

[aribh123]

Thanks everyone! I'll give the wire a try!