Getting my vanda to flower again (dumb newbie question I think!)

[Kaykay]

Dear all,
I think this might be a stupid question, but how do I best get my Vanda to flower again? I bought her a few weeks ago, and she is happily living in a Vanda vase, but the flowers have started to fade and I can't find instructions about what to do next? ( My first Vanda, but not my first orchid I also have some Phals and a Slipper) Do I cut the flower stem down like I would a Phal? Above a node or right down at the base of the spike? Do I keep feeding while not in bloom? (at the moment feeding v.weak orchid feed (1/8 dose) with each watering)
Thanks so much for sharing what you know. I feel that this might be the start of a bit of a vanda collection...
Kay

[neb]

The only stupid question is one not asked.
What name is on the tag?? If you keep the Vanda worm, in bright light, and with the proper level of nutrients it will grow and could flower at any time. But you may have to wait till next year to rebloom it.

[Kaykay]

It's a Vanda 'Blue Magic' that's all the information I have- no Latin. I expected it to flower about once a year, I'd just like to double check how to cut it back after flowering...
thanks!
Kay

[rastafouni]

Agree with Neb , there are no stupid questions when it's about to learn something.
Your Vanda will not bloom again because you cut the spike above a node , it works only with phal. With vanda it's mainly a question of esthetic where you are cutting. Don't stop to feed it, as a "Blue Magic" it has Vanda coerulea for parents and this specie can bloom up to 3 or 4 times every year. And : strong light, strong light , strong light to make it blooms again. Many Vandas appreciate direct sun light in the morning or evening for a few hours.
For myself, with 20 vanda species , only a few are not getting direct sun for a few hours a day. And, until now, they re blooming well. If your plant is not used of it, increase the amount of sun graduately to avoid to burn leaves.
Sure you will do it fine and will start a vanda collection !

[neb]

rastafouni is right I have a coerulea hybrid that shortly after the first spike was done it put out a second then before that one opened there was a third on the way. Mine gets full sun almost half the day and a weak fertilizer 3 out of 4 waterings.

[kavanaru]

Kaykay, my experience with the same vanda 'Blue Magic'. I had it under light and additionally receiving sunlight until 11:00 from an east window. Watering with week ferlizer twice a week, and had no success with it. The plant grew and grew very healthy but no flowers (I had it growing in a pot filled with Epiweb, which gave stability and helped to keep the himidity a bit longer around the roots).

I gave the plant to my cleaning lady. She placed it in a glass vase with some LECA on the bottom, but all roots are free. The LECA is filled with some water, but not covered with it, and then kept on the bottom with a plastic mesh. The vase is completely filled with water every second day (sometimes she forgets to water though) and left so for ca. 10-20 minutes. She uses tap water and fertilize once a week full concentration with teh kind of orchids fertilizer you can buy at the super market. The plant is on a windowsill facing a south window and reveivin a lot of sun (at the very beginning it got burned, but then it adapted to it). The plant has bloomed twice already in one year: first spike 6 GIANT flowers, second spike is currently with 8 GIANT flowers...

in other words, what you need is A LOT of sun, and regular and frequent watering...

[Kaykay]

Dear All,
Thank you so much for your advice! I'll see what happens with my Vanda! Fortunately, I have a living room with HUGE South and West facing windows, so a lot of light for England. When there are new flowers (I say that in faith!) I'll post some pics.
Kay