"Vanda Question"

[Anton]

Ok, question for the Vanda experts :

I would like to put a couple of my Vanda seedlings into a basket when they get a little bigger.

1. Can You put 2 plants in the same basket ?

2. If so, can you have 2 different types, in my case a Vanda limbata and a Vanda Tricolor? Or do they have to be the same, if it can be done that is ?

Vandas are a new species to me, growing wise that is, so totally ignorant to what can be done with them, be kind.......

[arleneg]

Hi Anton,

1. Yes, you can put 2 vandas in a basket. Make sure you put them in a basket large enough to accommodate them for years. Keep in mind that vanda leaves tend to be long (from about 6 inches to about 24 inches...total); roots will grow out of the basket. They get long (lengthwise), too.

2. If both have the same culture needs and close in size, yes.

[Anton]

Thanks, you have already told me something I didn't know, the length of the leaves. Hmmm.

Back to the drawing board for basket design. What about a small basket to start with and then pot on to a bigger one as they grow ?

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Anton, why would you want to put 2 Vandas in a basket? To save room? Put them in pots if baskets are too bulky. Any time you put more than one orchid in a container, you are faced with a high possibility of damage to both root systems if you must separate them later. I always think long term, because I have had some plants 20+ years, and know that sooner or later you will pay the piper for your short sightedness. What if one plant grows faster than another and shades the other too much. What if one gets a problem and looses lots of lower leaves, requiring topping. What if one likes the mix you used, and the other doesn't. Or they don't both like the same location or the same watering. Sheesh, the list could go on and on.

[tom499]

I would agree with Cynthia here. A month or two ago I separated two phals that were in the same pot, both had overgrown and it was a nightmare trying to untangle the roots, I had to chop quite abit

Best bet are those little plastic baskets, they should be pretty cheap to buy in bulk.

[Anton]

Cynthia, that is the same response I got for the orchid club last night and it makes sense.

I was just thinking it may look good having two different type of Vanda flowers in the one pot.

Oh well, I better get my orchid myopia seen to.