Getting a Vanda to Bloom

[deholz]

I've had a vanda about 11 years - starting with a small 2 leaf shoot.

It's been growing very well in a 6" square wood basket and seems quite healthy. In summer, it goes outside under the shade of tree and often grows 2-3 inches (3-4 leaves) during the summer months. Two years ago, it sprouted an offshoot, which is now quite large.

Photo at holzfamily.net/images/orchid/vanda1.jpg

This past summer it came out with a very small shoot down in the wood basket, which is still growing well.

Photo at holzfamily.net/images/orchid/vanda2.jpg

Unfortunately, I have never had any luck getting this darling to bloom. If I remember correctly it should have a reddish flower (according to a long lost tag).

Inside this winter, it gets daily misting (sometimes twice a day) and there's a humidifier in that room. It's a southwest facing window with plenty of light. I feed it regularly from March to October (with waterings) with Better-Gro Orchid Plus water soluble food (20-14-13).

Lately, I've been reading that to get this to bloom, I should be using a fertilizer with a higher phosphate (middle number) level. Any truth to that?

Alternately, any suggestions to get this beauty to perform for me? While I enjoy watching it get bigger, a little colorful gratitude would be nice.

[lissie0113]

Wow that offshoot is really awesome. I didnt know that Vandas did that.... is that common?

[deholz]

Originally Posted by lissie0113

Wow that offshoot is really awesome. I didnt know that Vandas did that.... is that common?

From what I've read, yes it's common. Once that shoot sprouts its own roots, it can be carefully removed and "potted" on its own - giving you two plants...

[lissie0113]

i hope my vanda does that! the very first orchid i ever had was a vanda (not the best choice to start with) and we have been through quite alot together! too little water, too much sun, too little sun, etc. but she is still going. maybe she will have a baby someday ;o)

[rodbender]

deholz Most of my vanda seedlings take about 5 to 6 years to bloom, then usualy they bloom 2 times a year or more as long as yours are growing well I am thinking that light is more of the issue. Mine grow in almost no shade in winter and under 50%shade cloth in the summer. If you can get it more light , a balanced fert. 20-20-20 and water it well daily it should put out blooms for you

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by deholz

... it can be carefully removed and "potted" on its own - giving you two plants...

...or, perhaps better yet, you could leave it attached, let it mature, then you'll have more flowering potential.

[articuno75]

I've had a vanda about 11 years - starting with a small 2 leaf shoot.

Deholz~ Rodbender has given you advice on the growth of seedlings and Kmarch has followed up with that advice.

The quote is that you've have had this particular Vanda for 11 years and that it started out as a two leaf shoot.... It's only bloomed once for you since.

My question is what are the watering habits that you give your plant besides the misting and the humidity in the room? This might also play a factor.

[deholz]

About once a week, I immerse it in water for several hours. In the summer, the humidity here outside is about 90%, so I only have to water it every few days (hosing it down).

It could be that I'm not giving it quite enough light. It's in shade most of the summer.

This next summer, I'll start with a regular fertilizer regimen. I'll also start it in a shady spot and move it gradually to more sun (mostly morning, since the afternoon is quite harsh).

We'll see if that generates any interest in blooming.

And to update...this vanda has never bloomed in 11 years.

[lissie0113]

i just sprayed all of my orchids with worm tea for the first time. I am especially hoping that this helps one of my vandas. It was the first orchid i ever bought, and it was in beautiful bloom then. It has only bloomed once in the 3 1/2 years that I have had it, and that was in the 9 month period that my moms friend (another orchid geek) was babysitting while i was moving around like crazy during grad school. She gave it back to me in July, in bloom. It was so gorgeous! I hope that the worm tea helps her out..... i have read some good things about worm tea with vandas on this site..... Good luck with yours Dholz!

[articuno75]

Originally Posted by deholz

About once a week, I immerse it in water for several hours. In the summer, the humidity here outside is about 90%, so I only have to water it every few days (hosing it down).

It could be that I'm not giving it quite enough light. It's in shade most of the summer.

This next summer, I'll start with a regular fertilizer regimen. I'll also start it in a shady spot and move it gradually to more sun (mostly morning, since the afternoon is quite harsh).

We'll see if that generates any interest in blooming.

And to update...this vanda has never bloomed in 11 years.

I too would agree that it would have to be the light. Play around with it this summer and let us know what results you get. If you can try and give it as much light as possible now, this can also help.

[Witchypoo]

Now that was an informative thread I might get nice blooms yet. My poor neglected vandas have NOT been getting enough light, this morning I have moved them to more light. They all have flat leaves but I have one Terete leaf vanda that I was told to put under my tree. Now it has grown to the top of the tree, never flowered but it is too shaded - I guess it is looking for more light. It is supposed to have pink flowers, somewhere would be the tag for it, I think it is Julie or Valerie. I will look in the shed and see if I can find it. It wasn't one of my NOID plants. They all have healthy roots, nice and fat and green when I water them.
WP

[Witchypoo]

I found it, the tag says vanda tere "valerie" Old memory not so bad after all.
I broke off more pieces, not moved them as I said in the previous message - that was impossible they were clinging so tightly to the tree. Now they are getting plenty of sun. I will try more pieces in spring if these cark it [die]
WP

[deholz]

Originally Posted by deholz

This next summer, I'll start with a regular fertilizer regimen. I'll also start it in a shady spot and move it gradually to more sun (mostly morning, since the afternoon is quite harsh).

And to update...this vanda has never bloomed in 11 years.

Seems the special care and more light paid off. 12 years and it's finally bloomed!

Thanks for the advice... now, to see if it'll bloom twice a year!

[deholz]

Please see next post for photo.

[deholz]

[NancyG]

All my vandas bloom at least twice a year sometimes more. One however refuses to bloom. I do the same with all. Lots of light, lots of water and regular fertilizer. The one is attached to a palm and it probably isn't getting enough light. But it is doing so much better than a few years ago when the leaves were shriveled. I probably won't move it but will try to prune some things around it to give it more light.

[articuno75]

I love the color. It's a beautiful bloom! Congratulations on a job well done.

[nenella]

Originally Posted by deholz

Please see next post for photo.

Well Done!! Congratulations you've found the "growing secret"

[lmartiny]

Well finally, feels good doesn't it? Your plant looks really healthy.

[rodbender]

Congrats on the bloom it looks great!!!!!!!

[Danelady]

Congrats!
Beautiful blooms!

[tansyflower]

That is one massive healthy vanda (I wish all mine looked so good). Great blooms, too.

I bet now that it has flowered it will make up for all those years of no flowers- with some spectacular shows!!

[carbonia]

i think vandas are so beautifull! i have two and get them to flower, even in the english very unreliable climate thanks to a tip i got from another internet source. This are orchids that really need their moisture, lots of light,tollerate sunshine but should not cook in it.. I got mine in the usual little basket they come in and they are still in that container, But i then got a tall clear glass vase , perched the basket just inside this vase with the roots danglin in. i secured the little basket justs inside with 4 wire loops securing the 4 corners of the basket to an outside wire loop secured firmlyan inch or so near the rim ofthe vase. Consider that es their humidity enveroment. during the summer and in very hot spells i fill the glass vases with water at room temperature, add fertilizer if as required,leave for 5 or 10 minutes, then tip all the water out. you can repeat this on a daily bases in hot weather. in winter i just spray them, roots and laves. in winter i keep them on a very light windowsill were they also get lots of sunshine but behind net curtains if sun too hot, the nets are really very flimsy and only give a very low degree of shade. they never fail to produce new roots and new leaves and of course also produce flowers. strctly speakinng vandas like phalaenopsis dont need a rest period but i find that they respond well to a "lean" spell when you reduce feed water and temperature by a few degrees. I hope this bit of info helps others as it has helped me. good luck

[jerrymeola]

Vanda want a lot of sunlight (7000 foot candles min 4500), lots of water - water once to twice a day and lots of fertilizer.

[evagentry]

Congratulations, feels good doesn't it?

[lance]

great growing, beautiful blooms!