Vanda Dream Team

[flexdc]

You know you need to treat Vandas like pets? They are usually potted in next to nothing and need daily watering.
I presume in winter it gets really cold in Chicagoland and you don't want to spend a fortune to keep your house tropical, I suggest you to choose a Vanda with Vanda coerulea in the back ground. Most blue tone Vandas have this specie in their backgrounds. They are the most cold tolerant Vanda out there. Also any Vanda that has been crossed with Neofinetia is also a good choice. They are called Vandofinetia or Vandofinides (which also has aerides in it). The crosses with Neofinetia have bonus of smaller statures, fragrance and cold tolerance. Or you might want to choose a straight Neofinetia (Samurai orchid). They are from southern Japan, very cold tolerant and since they are usually potted in sphagnum, you don't have to water them daily. You can get away with watering every 3 days.
Good luck.
Andrew