Advice needed for my orchid...

[RoxyGirl]

I got an orchid probably about mid February 09 and I have provided the water and have placed in a spot to where it gets desent lighting. But, over the past couple days this week, my orchid has 2 rows of flowers and 1 of the rows is completely dead. I just don't know what the exact cause of why it just suddenly died on me like that. I haven't fertlized it yet and not sure if that's what it needs.

Once the flowers are completely gone where do I cut the stem at? Would the orchid be dying due to not being fertlized?

Any suggestions??

[zuri]

Hi RoxyGirl. Do you know what kind of orchid you have? Can you post a picture or two for us? That would help a lot. The flower senescence might be completely natural...

[digitalgate]

hai, welcome to the forum. To help you better , it would be better to know what kind of orchids do you have. Some orchids you cut eh spike, some don't. Hope to hear from you again.

[RoxyGirl]

Originally Posted by zuri

Hi RoxyGirl. Do you know what kind of orchid you have? Can you post a picture or two for us? That would help a lot. The flower senescence might be completely natural...

I have attached a picture of an orchid that is exactly like mine. I just not able to take a picture of my own cause my digital camera is broken. But, this kind of orchid is called Vanda Orchid...Any suggestions?

[trinigirl]

Yes, that is a vanda, a pretty one.

I think it is natural for the flowers to last this long, about 2 months. Mine don't last more than 3-4 months from the time they open until the last flower fades.

You can check up on vanda culture on the AOS website, or on this site.

[digitalgate]

For this strap leave vanda. It would good to cut the spike after it finish it flowering. The plant will survive with out fertilizers. It might not bloom again or even if it bloom again , it will not be as majestic as before. You need a do a lot of homework like reading and asking question to know what to do with this plant.
first thing you need to know is how much light it requires .
-bright light is important but not direct sun on the plant.
-when to water the plant is also important. This plant loves water / heat and light.
if it is mounted then you need frequent watering(twice a day). If it is in a pot less frequent.

[brookn]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I am giving you a link to the culture sheet for this plant. Read it over, and feel free to ask questions.

AOS | Vanda

[RoxyGirl]

I have another ? on the potting section that I read on the link that you provided brookn. The orchid that I have is in a plastic container placed in a non-draining pot (medium size). So, would it need to be repotted so a pot that is a bit bigger or leave it in the pot that is came in?

Also, I haven't fertilized since I've purchase the orchid. So, should I consider fertilizing it since I haven't done it at all?

When I cut it do I cut the stem near the leafs or just after where the flowers bloom? If I don't cut the stem at all will that delay the growth or will it just eventually rebloom?

[brookn]

Hmmm...as for potting or not, I will leave this to the Vanda growers. I don't grow them, as I worry they would not enjoy my climate.
I don't use a lot of fertilizer, but the rule of thumb is weakly weekly. If it is recently repotted or stressed I advise no fertilizer for about a month or more, so that it can recover.

On spikes if it's brown cut it as close to the plant as you can without hurting the plant.

[PhalPal]

Roxy what part of California do you and your orchid live???

Are you growing it inside or outside???

I don't grow Vanda either, so I might be able to help you by telling you why I don't. Vanda like their roots hanging and lots more humidity than I have in So Cal. For that reason I am going to say your orchid needs at least a pot that drains; few orchid roots like to stay sitting in water. How you repot and into what depends on where you are growing and what your environment is like.

You are not hurting your orchid by not fertilizing. Many major growers do not fertilize at all and grow beautiful plants. In fact, the general rule is not to feed an ailing orchid. Flowers wilting is not always a sign of a problem (I don't want to confuse you further!!) it could just be that they have lived their life and its time for them to fall off.

A little more information on how you grow it would be helpful.

[RoxyGirl]

Originally Posted by PhalPal

Roxy what part of California do you and your orchid live???

Are you growing it inside or outside???

I don't grow Vanda either, so I might be able to help you by telling you why I don't. Vanda like their roots hanging and lots more humidity than I have in So Cal. For that reason I am going to say your orchid needs at least a pot that drains; few orchid roots like to stay sitting in water. How you repot and into what depends on where you are growing and what your environment is like.

You are not hurting your orchid by not fertilizing. Many major growers do not fertilize at all and grow beautiful plants. In fact, the general rule is not to feed an ailing orchid. Flowers wilting is not always a sign of a problem (I don't want to confuse you further!!) it could just be that they have lived their life and its time for them to fall off.

A little more information on how you grow it would be helpful.

I live in the Central Coast of California (i.e. Monterey bay) so generally it is a bit cooler here since where I live it's cooler. But, depending it does get hot in the summer time.

Pretty much I have purchased it when about 3 or 4 flowers were already bloomed. Basically, I have only given it water as needed and as well as placing it on my stero cabinet so that when the sun shines through the window it will get enough light. I really haven't done much other then that for it and it's been doing well up until now.

It just seemed so quick for the flowers to fall off so suddenly like that and especially one whole row all at one time. I was just suprised by that cause other orchids that I've had the flowers would die one by one instead of it just completely dying at once.

Do they like a lot of water and how often should I be watering? I know that I have had other types of orchids that usually need to be watered every 7 days or so. For Vanda this is a new kind of orchid for me so I am wanting to learn how to take care of this kind. I would especially like to bring it back for another bloom....

[rodbender]

Welcome to the forum Roxygirl, by what i've read in your post the Vanda is not getting enough light or water. Most of my Vanda alliance plants recieve 8 to 10 hours of bright to almost full sun daily, my watering regieme is tedious they are very thirsty you would want to water daily with 1/2 strength fert weekly, once the plant is growing well for you. I do not have my Vandas in pots they are in baskets with their roots hanging free. IMHO they dont like to be potted. they are a lot of work to keep happy but the rewards are well worth it

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by RoxyGirl

For Vanda this is a new kind of orchid for me so I am wanting to learn how to take care of this kind.

Read the culture sheet brookn provided above and let us know of you have specific questions.

[RoxyGirl]

Originally Posted by kmarch

Read the culture sheet brookn provided above and let us know of you have specific questions.

I am understand now that obviously that this type of orchid likes to have their roots hanging. So, I have a bit wider pot with more openings for the water to drain and also will be able to have the roots move open instead of being so compacted. But, I am curious to see if that type of pot would help? This pot that I have is recommended for an orchid, but curious to see if that would help at all for this orchid that I have?

** The 1st picture that is attached is a similar orchid pot that I have (the size of my orchid pot is the size of the one that is display with the whit orchid in it).

** The 2nd picture that is attached is like the one that I have my current orchid in at the moment.


Curious to see if the 1st picture of the orchid pot would help at all? My orchid is in a plastic container placed in the orchid pot it came in. When I repot this orchid where can I get the moss that fill the new orchid pot with?

[PhalPal]

Roxy by 'roots hanging' this is the type of basket you would put your Vanda in. The roots hang down below the basket without any type of medium (soil). http://www.calwesttropical.com/index...e-wood-baskets

Monterey is so misty much of the time your orchid just might love it if you can give it enough sun. If you just can't accomodate a basket then you can put it in a pot. Don't pay more for something called an 'orchid pot.' A pot is a pot, and as long as it has lots of drainage yours will do okay.

Does one of the Florida growers have a picture of a Vanda in a basket????? You guys grow them so beautifully.

[RoxyGirl]

Originally Posted by PhalPal

Roxy by 'roots hanging' this is the type of basket you would put your Vanda in. The roots hang down below the basket without any type of medium (soil). http://www.calwesttropical.com/index...e-wood-baskets

Monterey is so misty much of the time your orchid just might love it if you can give it enough sun. If you just can't accomodate a basket then you can put it in a pot. Don't pay more for something called an 'orchid pot.' A pot is a pot, and as long as it has lots of drainage yours will do okay.

Does one of the Florida growers have a picture of a Vanda in a basket????? You guys grow them so beautifully.

I already have an orchid pot to transplant this orchid into..It does have enough drainage for the water and as well as for I am hoping room for the roots...

Here is a website that is grown locally here where I live...I have gotten a few from these people and they where really beautiful...So, you might find some interest in it. There is a phot gallery on the site if you want to take a look!

Welcome - Rocket Farms

[PhalPal]

Roxy are you sure what you have is a Vanda????? All Rocket Farms sells are Phals.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by PhalPal

Roxy are you sure what you have is a Vanda????? All Rocket Farms sells are Phals.

And the second 2 pics you posted are of Phals.