Vanda identification and questions!?!?

[orchidfriend]

Hello fellow geeks,

I recently purchased my first Vanda from one of my favorite (semi)local greenhouses and I was hoping someone could tell me what it is and answer some questions concerning keeping it happy.

My questions are:

All I have really been told about Vanda's is that they like to get lot of light. Can I fertilize them the same way I do the rest of my orchids? I use MSU fertilizer once a week and all of my orchids seem to be flourishing.

The orchid came in a wooden basket with roots that are over a foot long trailing out the basket. The medium seems to be in good condition (not broken down or pale looking) but the basket is completely full of roots. Should I be thinking about re-potting?

Along with the orchid, there seems to be some other plant in the basket (you can see it in the pictures). What is it? I don't think that it is an orchid but my knowledge is pretty limited. Should I take it out of there?

If you think that there is anything else I should know about Vanda's or my specific Vanda please fill me in. At this point in my orchidgeekery I am a sponge for info.

Thanks in advance... You guys/gals are the best!!!

[sruane]

Your vanda looks like some type of Mokara maybe, the other plants are Tillandsias...I think some people here grow them. I have one that I keep with a Dendrobium. They absorb water mostly through their leaves. I would leave them on there personally, perhaps someone else will suggest a reason to take them off. Not sure about the repotting thing, but the vanda will probably want to be watered pretty heavily on a daily basis. I would suggest soaking it for at least 10 min a day.

Sara

[kmarch]

Looks like there could be some V. sanderiana in there somewhere too.

[Azzadazza]

yeah the other plant is a Tillandsia Bergeri i think. it looks very healthy and has been there quite some time.

just give it a mist every now and then. they do not like lots of water and will survive drying out abit but will not survive over watering.

[willowbanks]

Hello Orchidfriend, what is written on the name tag in your Vanda basket????

[digitalgate]

that a quarter terete vanda. It an impossible task for the FL light. You need to put it outdoor. I put it under direct sun!.

[kmarch]

The leaves don't look at all terete to me. ?????

[digitalgate]

may be i am wrong. But this plant definitely need more than 2000foot candle of light which is maximum output of a FL tube.

Orchidfriend, if you think it is not a quarter terete leave , I am ok with that. I would beg you to at least put under partial shade outdoor. This plant need higher source of light.

[orchidfriend]

ok so heres the deal. I live in Vermont. Last year we had a couple of nights that droped down into the -20's. Right now the nights are still getting down into the 50's and I cant really guarantee that there is not going to be some very cold night, smack dab in the middle of summer. All this means, I don't really feel all that comfortable putting my orchids outside here. Does anybody have any other ideas concerning getting my vanda enough light? How about a spot light with an agro sun?

Also, after lookinh up terete orchid (because I had no idea what you were talking about) I read that the two kinds of Vanda are strap leaved (flat) and terete (round). If those descriptions are accurate, I have a strap leaved Vanda.

Oh yeah and p.s. The label in the basket is for a Phal Ember x Goldberry

[LouisW]

Yep looks like you have a strap leaf Vanda meaning that it cant stand the amount of sun that a terete can but it still needs quite high light. Im not sure about artificial light but a spotlight sounds good to me. Looks like in the background of one of your photos you have a terete vandacious orchid(or is that a den in the second picture?). If that is growing in your setup the strap leaf should be fine.

That Tillandsia is quite a specimen! You got a really good deal if that was just in there for free along with the Vanda. Looks to be several years old.

[digitalgate]

you need 5000 to 7000 foot candle of light to bloom this type of plant. you can research on metal halides (expensive) or sodium vapour lamp (also expensive). But i dont think that it can give kind of output even at 1000watt lamp. I really hope i am wrong about the numbers.

[Survolte]

lol digital you told me I couldnt grow a vanda even under my 400w metal halide. I doubt he can do it with a fl tube. We will see though. Im going to stay away from vandas unless they are medium to low light, witch is very few.

[digitalgate]

Originally Posted by Survolte

lol digital you told me I couldnt grow a vanda even under my 400w metal halide. I doubt he can do it with a fl tube. We will see though. Im going to stay away from vandas unless they are medium to low light, witch is very few.

you can try Neos they need somewhere around 3000fc .

[Survolte]

well My 400w MH has an initial lumen output of 39000. So I think thats higher then you were thinking (I dont know)? Its in a reflector too.

[digitalgate]

39000 lumen is only 3900 foot candle at the bulb. which drop drastically every 4 inch from the bulb.