Vandas and Spanish Moss

[LILOBODO]

I have six vandas growing in slatted baskets hanging in our east facing lanai here in Venice, Florida, s.w. coast. My wife drapped some live Spanish moss over the baskets a couple of years ago and the baskets are pretty well covered although many roots show through. The vandas seem to be doing well, but I wonder if the moss may be holding too much moisture?
The vandas get about eight hours of sun through the screen lanai and are watered four or five times a week.

Thanks for any comments

[shams]

I do the same thing, because humidity in the house pretty much goes out the window in Canada's winter. It was a tip I was given by the grower I got them from, if I didn't want to put them in a pot. I would think that so long as the moss isn't packed tightly, your vandas should be fine. I've got one that's about ready to burst in blossoms starting... today! I'll probably post a picturetomorrow when this first flower is fully open

[Ross]

I'm not a Vanda grower, but I do know Spanish Moss (a lichen, not a moss!) is pretty-much resistant to diseases and bugs. So there is no reason, I know of, to be concerned.

[Mahon]

You're just a few minutes from where I live! Venice is one of the more interesting cities on the gulf... so much history in the area that many do not even know about! Ah, and the beautiful beaches and the Jetty during the sunset...


Anyways, Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides) doesn't really retain any moisture at all. It should be looked at as a decoration and a harbor for bugs... this chain-like bromeliad usually has many red bugs crawling around on the leaves, which can cause a really bad skin condition if they get on you. Also, if balled or packed tightly in the basket, cockroaches would love to make it a home, if they already haven't!

It wouldn't really hurt the plant, but if you come in contact with it often or have it inside or close to inside, there might be problems...

-Pat

[shams]

Yah... I don't use Spanish moss.... I use sphragnum moss I misread, sorry. But again.... as long as it's not too packed, you should be good.

[never2manyorchids]

I have vanda's and I agree don't pack the moss tightly I was told Vanda roots need alot of air circulation. I have best results with bare roots in a wood basket.

[kavanaru]

Originally Posted by Ross

I'm not a Vanda grower, but I do know Spanish Moss (a lichen, not a moss!) is pretty-much resistant to diseases and bugs. So there is no reason, I know of, to be concerned.

Hi Ross,

actually it is a bromelia Thillandsia usneoides

[epiphyte78]

From "Growing Orchids in Your Garden" by Robert Friend... "The most beneficial companion for a newly attached orchid is a drape of the so-called Spanish moss, which is the bromeliad Tillandsia usneoides. This most useful plant, which consists of a tangle of curly, mosslike strands, provides a humid, nurturing microclimate around the newly affixed orchid. It also provides a modicum of shade and wind protection when draped around the base of the plant from which new growths and roots will emerge." p 31-32

Strangely enough, Friend advises against using Sphagnum moss for mounted orchids. He feels that the roots will stay in the moist Sphagnum moss and not attach to the tree. Also, he feels the Sphagnum moss can potentially hide pests.

Bare root orchids in baskets are pretty much the same as bare root mounted orchids so Friend would probably also advise draping Spanish moss over Vandas in baskets.

A while ago I visited a professional orchid grower and he gave me a tour of his greenhouses. In one of his greenhouses he had dozens of flourishing Vandas in baskets with generous amounts of Spanish moss wrapped around the basket and roots. I asked him about it and he said he really struggled trying to get Vandas to grow until he started wrapping the Spanish moss around their roots.

Personally, I think it depends a lot on your growing conditions. Humidity and moisture is a greater concern here in the Los Angeles area compared to Florida. Although, I'm sure the humidity and moisture levels were pretty high in that orchid grower's greenhouse. Protection from winds that dry out exposed root orchids is another factor as well.

I think that if your Vandas are doing fine then I would leave well enough alone. If you feel that they are getting too much moisture then you might experiment watering them only 3 or 4 times per week and see how they respond.

[Neverend]

I never tried putting spanish moss on orchids, but from my growing experience in these 2 different plant types, you'll most probably end up overwatering the moss to keep the Vanda well-watered or the other way round.