New vanda coming help set up - Orchid Board

Mercurianmad · #1 06-18-2020, 01:50 PM

Hi guys! I’ve got a new “black” vanda coming and I need to know how to set up the basket for it. It’s going to be hanging in my sunny windowsill next to the humidifier with the oncidium. I’m thinking of hanging the basket from the window lever, where my hand is in the picture. Pictures below. Thoughts? Currently it’s a 4 inch plastic basket. I am able to purchase a 6 inch and an 8 inch vanda basket additionally. Do I repot it when I get it? Can I just put the orchid in the basket? Does it need any potting medium? Or do I just set the vanda in the basket. Lol. Help! Thanks.

Mercurianmad · #2 06-18-2020, 01:51 PM

Don’t mind the oncidium it’s still recovering :-) it’s got a new root system and a nice new bulb but the leaves on its old pseudobulbs look pretty sad

estación seca · #3 06-18-2020, 03:44 PM

I'm guessing it is growing in a 4" basket with no medium. This is common for Vandas.

You will need to water it at least once every day. The roots need to turn from white to solid dark green when you water it. It will be able to stay in the 4" basket until it gets a lot bigger, so don't worry about that yet.

Vandas need a lot of light.

Mercurianmad · #4 06-18-2020, 04:15 PM

Thank you. Watering it daily is no problem. Do I just put the entire basket in the sink and water? And wait till it stops dripping then hang again?

Also can I repot into a nicer wood basket or should I just keep it happy in the black plastic basket it comes in?

---------- Post added at 01:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:12 PM ----------

Also I was planning on hanging it in front of one piece of cheesecloth, but should I keep it in full direct sunlight instead?

---------- Post added at 01:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:14 PM ----------

The cheesecloth would just make it bright, diffused light

Roberta · #5 06-18-2020, 05:26 PM

As far as whether to repot (rebasket?) or leave it, or drop the existing setup into a new wood basket, I think you can decide after you actually receive it, and take a look at what you have in the way of roots, how entangled with the existing basket they are, etc.

As far as light goes, when I unpack a new plant, I like to keep it in subdued light even if it is a high light plant, for a day or two at least (after being in a dark box, let it breathe fresh air for a bit) Then you can decide how bright you want to grow it... increase light gently to reduce risk of sunburn.

Mercurianmad · #6 06-18-2020, 05:30 PM

Thank you. Do you guys dunk your Vandas in buckets to water them, or can you leave them in a shower or something to get watered?

Roberta · #7 06-18-2020, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mercurianmad

Thank you. Do you guys dunk your Vandas in buckets to water them, or can you leave them in a shower or something to get watered?

I leave the answer to this one to those who grow their Vandas indoors.

I mostly stay away from the warm-growers. (I do have a small greenhouse but most standard Vandas are just too big) - I try to stick to the ones that I can grow outside (there are some Vanda species, and their hybrids, that can handle my winter nights, I cherish those...) Back in my condo-dwelling days I created a setup over the bathtub of my spare bathroom, with a big HID light for wintertime. They weren't terribly happy, but they survived. http://orchidcentral.org/GrowingAreas/Vandacity.jpg

estación seca · #8 06-18-2020, 06:24 PM

Orchid roots are brittle. When it's time to move Vandas up to a bigger basket, the easiest is just to leave it in the old basket, remove the old hanging wires if necessary, and thread the roots through the new basket. If you try to remove the old basket you will break a lot of roots. This is not a problem when growing Vandas in a place they are extremely happy, since under those conditions they grow new roots so fast. That would mean a very humid and wet greenhouse. In a home they will not grow roots nearly as fast, so you should try not to damage what they have.

You can dip in a bucket or put into the shower. Put the hook of the basket hanger on the shower faucet neck if it will stay. It usually takes several good dunks or sprays at 2-5 minute intervals to completely wet the roots.

There is a good but rough introductory video on the Motes Orchids YouTube channel on growing Vandas. He explains in detail how to water adequately.

I might add something... I've spent winter nights in some of the N California mountain towns. Vandas are generally warm to hot growing plants. You need to keep them above 50 F / 10C or they may be severely damaged, and days need to be much warmer than this. It may be difficult for you to keep this plant warm and humid enough through the winter without some advance planning.