Whoa! TINY, TINY baby!

[vanda_obsession]

Here's the Ascocentrum curvifolium I got off eBay! Arrived in today! however, its a teeny tiny thing, nervous cause of its tiny size.. I put the tube of mascara next to it as a comparison.. Any advice on this little guy? I eventually want to put it in a basket, but I know right now its too small for it, plus its root development isn't much (Surprise from buying off eBay that it was so small, and its roots worry me.. I sent the seller a message about it.) It has two strong roots, a 3rd one growing, the rest of them were crunchy dry, and brown... she shipped it from Houston TX and I tracked it to here, so it had not been in the box for very long...

Any advice on this "baby" will be greatly appreciated! its SUPER cute though!

[delphiguy]

When it becomes stronger keep it like a strap vanda, lots of water and humidity and
morning sun will do.

[vanda_obsession]

Vanda's are my absolute favorite... Just don't know anything on the babies.. Do you think this one is recently out of a flask?

[delphiguy]

no idea but it may have been a while since its been out of flask.... you can start to
acclimate it to stronger light, but do it gradually and keep humidy high. I would also
place it in its permanent basket or pot as unpotting it would be a real pain.

[orchids4me]

That's a nice seedling you got : ). Keep us posted on it as you go, what's potting media do you have it in right now?
Emmaye

[vanda_obsession]

It came in a teeny tiny clay pot, with bark media, which it looks like it hasn't been in for very long. I was thinking of tucking it behind the other potted orchids for some filtered light, since the sunlight on my apartment porch is quite strong... So should I avoid giving it fertilizer because it is so young?

its amazing how tiny it is, compared to my bigger vanda..

[syndywindy]

It sure is cute. I don't grow vandas as I don't think I can give them the right culture. One thing I have found when buying on ebay, things are almost always bigger in the pictures than when you actually get them. I try to pay very close attention to how things are worded, if the seller uses a ruler or some other item as a reference for size. And if not I send off a question, that way I have a better idea of what the size might actually be.

[lmartiny]

Did you get a decent deal? It is tiny. I don't buy off e-bay though. And I can't remember what I paid for the mix of 10 seedlings recently from a grower. I agree to move it to a basket now if that is your plan. Before the roots all clump in the pot.

[orchidaddict789]

Wow, that's so cute! I just looked up pictures of the flowers--very pretty!

When you buy on ebay, it's a good idea to see if there's a photo of the actual plant for sale. That way, you have a better idea of what you're buying.

[rcb]

Couple things, first this one shouldn't get as big as a typical Vanda. They are smaller growing plants, and it doesn't look as though it is straight out of flask. It looks like a seedling.

If you eventually want it in a basket, then I agree with the others, put it in a basket now. You can put some potting stuff in the basket with it, I personally like lava rock for these types.

As for the care, it is growing. In order to grow, it needs sunlight, water and food. So yes, give it fertilizer, and give it as much light as it can take without burning the leaves.

In my opinion, the easiest way to kill a seedling is to over baby it. You may have to water more often than a big Vanda, but I would still allow it to dry out in between waterings.
Good luck with it!