I had long been hesitant about trying to grow vandas here in southern california about 2 miles from the ocean. For some reason they always intimidated me and seemed like difficult plants to keep happy. I particular loved the violet/blue vandas with coerulea in them.
Well, finally caved in and bought a V. Manuvadee I saw at a garden show in April 2008. This was followed by a V. Motes Indigo and a V. Mikasa from an ebay seller in Canada in July, followed by a V. Tokyo blue from an ebay seller in Hawaii, followed over the next few months by three more, some with more coerulea in the mix, some with less. I also discovered I could keep the coerulea varieties outdoors most of the time except for one or two colder months.
Well, just thought I'd share a few of my summer successes with the outdoor vandas this year:
V. Tokyo blue, bought last december, was supposed to be 1-2 years from blooming but I guess it was anxious:
As Tokyo Blue faded, the V. Manuvadee started to bloom:
And soon the V. Motes Indigo will be blooming, picture of plant just starting to set off an inflo, and a picture of last summer's flowers:
The V. Manuvadee last year, much darker color, not sure what happened this year
Vandas outdoors in So California
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