Proper humidity for vandas

[Lucinda Brown]

Can anybody tell me the exact perfect humidity level for vandas? I get only general info from internet for 'all' orchids. I am trying to set up a mini greenhouse of sorts from an arbor I've enclosed in plastic and installed misting system in. Still only getting about 50 to 65 percent humidity for them. I believe it is 80 percent? Am I correct?

[snowballsarebad]

I can't tell you a perfect humidity level for them, but I do know they love high humidity, and 50 to 65 percent may not be enough. I have my vanda hanging in a tree outside. On days where the humidity is low and it's very hot I'll mist it a couple times a day. But...wait for the experts, they'll be able to tell you more.

[jerrymeola]

I grow mine outside in full sun so there is little humity. When i had them in my pool cage the did not do as well even with the higher humity. The high sunlight and good air circulation with lots of watering is the key.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I have my system set for about 65 to 70 % humidity, and 55 to 60% is pretty standard for me as the fogger goes on most all day. 50 to 65% humidity is much safer than 80%. Remember that when the temperature starts to fall in the evening, the humidity is going to go way up. So, half the time the humidity is higher than your 50 to 65%, and if you are at 80% and the humidity goes higher in the evening, this will be too much. Unless you have really great air movement, I think you could expect to start losing plants to rot with very high humidity at night. Cynthia

[Shana Boso]

I have a Vanda Coreaula (sp?)that is not too big yet and a couple yrs from blooms but she is not very happy here in MN with me. The climate wins reagrdless in this case. Anyways...sounds like you know a lot and would provide a good hoem for her. Would you wnat her if I shipped her to you??? SK

[Shana Boso]

Sorry that turned out really confusing. Meant that for Cynthia. If she had room for a small Vanda. Saw your pictures also...beautiful Orchids!!! What do you think about your Dendrobium Lod ? easy or difficult?

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Well, I have two Vanda coeruleas now. Maybe you could find someone at your local orchid society to do a swap with. Or, you could try growing it in a pot where the roots are kept a little damper on the average. I grow all my Vandas in pots and they do very well.

Are you asking about Dendrobium loddigesii? This plant needs lots of water while growing, then a wet/dry pattern during winter, and it needs cooling off from Nov. thru Feb. I put it in a cold frame that gets down to about 38F occasionally, but warms up during the day. I have one on a treefern totem pole that gets watered every day, and another in a Dutch wooden shoe that gets watered about twice a week or a little less during the growing season. Cynthia

[flaorchidfan]

Shana Boso, are you looking for a new home for the vanda or to trade. I have two vandas and some nodoso's that love my porch here in cenreal florida. i am sure they would not mind some company. if you are lookin to trade let me know, i have some other doubles that i recently divided.

[Shana Boso]

Florida's humidity sounds like whta my baby needs. I don'r care about trading...just know it needs a little more humidity than the MN version. I have had her in a pot for a while but she is surviving vs thriving. SEnd me an e-mail tomorrow and we can discuss specifics such as your mailing address.

My e-mail is shana.kewley@co.dakota.mn.us

Thanks all...
SK