Vandas in Glass Vases

[JDMANZANA]

Originally Posted by nenella

WOW! have you any photos?

Not yet.. They're coming!

[nenella]

Originally Posted by help

are you supposed to leave a little bit of water in the bottom? with pebbles or leca? for humidity

Originally Posted by RosieC

I didn't think so from when I've had this technique explained to me. I don't grow this way though so can't be certain.

I was told you poor water in and let the roots soak it up for a couple of minutes then poor it all out again.

No You're not supposed too... as Rosie says.... But you can try... I personally do not find it necessary - although I do soak them everyday. if I'm in a hurry it's 10 mins otherwise 20-30 mins- I try & watch the growth - roots and new leaves.. (taking humidity into account as far as poss -just what it says on my metre).If humidity low tend to leave a few more mins; if high tend to leave less....) water accordingly..? No real set rules just 'feeling'... for now I have been successful - although my dream would be to just be able to have them outside and drench once a day with a hose pipe!

[Cewal]

Whew!! I just read this entire thread! Lots of information, and I'm thinking I might try my Sansai Blue in a vase. Can anyone comment on a good place to get the right kind of vase?

[nutgirl]

I go to the thrift shops first. Then craft stores like "Michaels", etc.

Maureen

[ronkbrown]

Hi,
I'm very impressed. Have avoided vandas, except on one regretable occasion, always believed I couldn't give them the winter warmth they needed. It seems I was wrong. My climate is a great deal warmer than Birmingham, no frosts & a winter night min of about 7deg C, and you've sparked my imagination. Outdoors in the summer and in the kitchen/sunroom over winter sitting in 'vases'. North-East aspect ( southern hemisphere ).
Might try 1 or 2 of what have supposedly more tolerance of cooler conditions. What does anyone think of perhaps coerulea and its x's or, I've been told,Ascocentrum x Vanda (Ascda.) as starting points?

Ron

[nenella]

Hi Ron,
I think you will be more than OK with your conditions!
My 'best' growers/flowering ones I have are: ascocentrum miniatum & an Ascofinetia- I have had these 2 a couple years and the miniatum has flowered twice every year & the Ascofinetia flowered for the first time this summer -2 spikes.
I also have a Ascocenda Princess Micassi 'Blue' which I got this summer (in flower) ... It's growing (has put out 2 new leaves and a couple roots) I hope it flowers for me next summer...
All 3 are in vases and get a daily soak.
Good luck & keep us posted!

[ronkbrown]

Thanks Nenella,
I'm still struggling with navigation of this forum. Not the forums fault, I'm a technophobe & really struggle with computers etc. I actually stumbled on your very kind reply rather than knowing where to look. Practice will tell I hope.
I'll keep my eyes open for your suggestions, or their like, in my wanderings. We're just going into summer here so it'd be a good time to get started. We've had a cooler & wetter than normal summer predicted ( la Nina ) but it still will be plenty warm enough to pop a plant into the garden.
You don't happen to know anything about Mystacidium capense do you? I'm not having much luck in finding out if it will actually take quite high light levels.
regards Ron

[nenella]

I have no experience of this but just googled it and .... !!!!!!!!! that is just up my street!!! white perfumed flowers and not too big!
Oh dear you've just made me add another to my wish list!!
here are 2 links on growing info on it .. hope this helps

http://http://www.plantzafrica.com/p...stercidcap.htm



http://http://www.orchidspecies.com/mystacapense.htm

seeing both say shady...I would say it'll probably take some light but not 'high' light... you could put it under a mature tree 'shading it' ? Hopefulmly someone who knows
will chime in here.

[ronkbrown]

Hi Nenella,
the M. capense I have I bought about a month ago thinking it was a seedling or mericlone as it is quite small. The whole plant is no more than 5cm high with 4 leaves the largest only about 5cm also. It is growing in a tiny terracotta pot in a mix of perlite & chopped coconut husk ( a very popular medium for epiphytes here ). It has a very vigorous root system for its size...even attaching to the plastic label. It is growing in my east facing kitchen, for the time being, which has a wall of panelled glass with matching sliding doors & is very light & airy. I have it with a group of other 'seedling' plants which I water, as needed, with water I syphon from my large ( 21ltr ) and filtered gold fish bowl - it has 1 fish in it that's about 12years old & quite unattractive now but very healthy..LOL. This is strange I know but the plant seem to thrive on it, & guess what? That tiny little M capense has surprised me with a tiny little flower spike, which is growing at about 5mm per day & is already 6 cm long, a cm over the side of the pot. This is exciting but I really thought I was getting something which was, well, not large but certainly a good deal larger than it is. I'm hoping it's just very precosious and will get a bit larger in time.
So M. capense would certainly fit somewhere in your collection. Sorry I don't have pics to send but that technology is still a bit beyond me...will try to learn as i now have motivation!!!!

Ron

[nenella]

Ohh Ron that sounds super!!! I really hope you will post a photo or two!
There is a section on the forum about 'how to post photos'. I haven't got time now but will find it for you and post the link,Unless anyone else does so in the meantime ?
Good luck and I really look forward to seeing your beauty.